Albion manager Mark McGhee today emphasised his commitment to the club's youth policy by promising new contracts to two young players who have not been in first team contention.

Midfielder Dean Hammond and striker Dan Beck will be staying with the Seagulls for another year, although McGhee has warned the pair they must prove themselves.

Hammond made the last of his four League appearances at Watford in October 2002 during the reign of Martin Hinshelwood.

Beck, a first year pro, made his only first team appearance as a substitute at Brentford in October, shortly before McGhee took charge.

"We haven't seen anything of the two of them really," McGhee admitted. "Dean Hammond looks a good passer and I can see the type of player he is, but he needs to do a lot in a year. He needs to strengthen up physically and impose himself more in training and in games.

"Beck can go past people and we shouldn't be too quick to dismiss that. He is maybe not the type of player who is going to play every week initially, but he could be a player who is well worthwhile having around.

"They will both be given a chance but we are throwing the gauntlet down to them by saying you have got a year to prove to us you are going to be the finished article and are going to make it."

Albion, because of their superior goal difference, effectively need only three points from their last three games to reach the play-offs after Luton were held 1-1 at home by Bournemouth last night.