Gary Hart has spoken out about the uncertainty hanging over Albion's nine out-of-contract players as a result of the boardroom power struggle.

The players have been left in limbo, their futures undecided until the fate of manager Mark McGhee is resolved.

The Argus exclusively revealed yesterday that Tony Bloom is the major investor in the club behind the bid to oust McGhee.

The 36-year-old football betting expert and poker player has the support of his uncle, long-serving Seagulls director Ray Bloom.

Fellow director Derek Chapman is also thought to be in the Bloom camp, while chairman Dick Knight and chief executive Martin Perry have been fighting to keep McGhee following Albion's relegation from the Championship.

Tony Bloom is refusing to comment for the time being but a brief statement issued by Knight last night suggests he may be winning Bloom around.

Knight said "good progress was being made resolving the club's managerial issues but more discussions will take place before a full announcement, which is expected in the next few days".

Meanwhile, Hart has outlined the unsettling impact of the saga on him and eight of his team-mates.

Charlie Oatway, Richard Carpenter, Guy Butters, Jason Dodd, Kerry Mayo, Alex Nicolas, Mark McCammon and Chris McPhee are also all eager to find out whether they have a future with the club.

Hart said: "I am coming home telling my wife and kids I am basically unemployed at the moment, because I haven't got a contract, so it's worrying times.

"We spoke to the gaffer a week ago and he said he could not tell us for definite when. It's all up in the air because of what is going on.

"It's not the manager's fault. He has been trying to sort things out with the club but it is an ongoing situation.

"He's been frustrated and it's frustrating for us. It's a big core of players and look at the squad if all nine of us left. That would leave young kids. It would be like a youth team."

Utility player Hart, runner-up to Paul McShane as Albion's player of the season, wants McGhee to stay.

"You feel for him, because he hasn't had the money," Hart said. "He's worked hard and just got on with it.

"We just want to get on with preparing for next year now and I think he is still a good man for the job."