Albion manager Mark McGhee warned Albert Jarrett today his starting place is under threat.

Frenchman Alexandre Frutos scored a spectacular goal, his first for the club, after replacing Jarrett on the left wing during the second half of Saturday's 3-1 home defeat by Norwich.

Frutos is now pushing for his full debut when the Seagulls, above the Championship relegation zone on goals scored, resume following the international break against Cardiff at Withdean on October 15.

"Albert has got to be more consistent," McGhee said. "The other night (at Leicester) he was brilliant. On Saturday he was really poor, totally anonymous.

"He's got to find consistency if we are not going to be tempted to try Alex, with him scoring the goal he did and playing the way he did. He contributed well to the possession.

"We've got two weeks to look at it but Albert has got to convince me he should still be in the team."

A stunning left-foot strike from the edge of the area was no consolation to Frutos.

"It was a great goal but we are not happy because we lost," said the free signing from Metz. "It's important for me, because it's the first goal for my new team but we didn't win.

"In the first half we did not play together so it was difficult for us. Norwich played good football and scored two goals. In the second half it was too difficult for us to come back."

McGhee is pleased to have an opportunity for injuries to clear up and to add to his squad with loan signings before Cardiff's visit.

"We'll have 'Chippy' (Richard Carpenter) fit and maybe Jason Dodd getting fit," he said. "I think these breaks are good for us, regardless of results. We are quite happy to regroup."

Meanwhile, Albion chairman Dick Knight has dismissed as "total nonsense" a Sunday newspaper story suggesting Ossie Ardiles is about to take over from McGhee.

There could, however, be a link between Ardiles and future investment in the Seagulls. Talksport radio presenter Alan Brazil, a former Tottenham team-mate of Ardiles, claims to know a wealthy ex-player interested in putting money into the club.

Knight said: "I believe it is distinctly probable that all sorts of people who have had successful careers, like Ardiles, would be interested in Albion when we get our stadium."