Albion's new manager Chris Hughton is weighing up whether to pursue the club’s interest in Leeds United midfielder Rodolph Austin.

The Seagulls enquired last month about the availability of the Jamaica international, during the reign of Sami Hyypia.

It will now be up to Hughton to decide whether Austin is a player he wants to add combative experience and leadership to the central midfield options, a priority for Albion in the January transfer window opening tomorrow.

The 29-year-old former Leeds captain, out-of-favour at Elland Road, is also interesting fellow Championship strugglers Millwall.

Albion, Leeds and Millwall are within a point of one another near the foot of the table but that will not affect the Yorkshiremen’s eagerness to offload Austin, whose three-year contract expires in June.

They are prepared to let him go if they complete the signing of Inter Milan’s Slovenia international Rene Krhin on loan for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, Sebastien Bassong could become a target for Hughton after returning to Norwich from a loan spell at Watford.

The 28-year-old Parisian centre-half, signed by Hughton for Newcastle and Norwich, has lost his place at Carrow Road since the Albion boss was sacked by the Canaries in April.

Albion have an age imbalance in their centre-half choices from Lewis Dunk (23) to injured skipper Gordon Greer (34) and Aaron Hughes (35).

Greg Halford (30) is back at parent club Nottingham Forest, with Hughton facing competition from Fulham and Millwall if he wishes to re-sign him.