Albion boss Chris Hughton is searching for a new assistant after losing Colin Calderwood to tomorrow night's visitors Aston Villa.

Calderwood's surprise departure has been confirmed by the Seagulls tonight.

A brief club statement said: "Brighton and Hove Albion can confirm that assistant manager Colin Calderwood has resigned from the club to take up a new position elsewhere.

"He was placed on gardening leave on Saturday 12 November 2016 to serve his notice period."

Scot Calderwood, 51, has been with Hughton at the Amex since February 2015. He also worked with him previously at Villa's West Midland neighbours Birmingham, Newcastle and Norwich.

 

Paul Trollope (below)The Argus: , sacked recently by Cardiff as manager, is the early frontrunner to replace Calderwood, although Hughton is in no hurry to make an appointment.

Coach Paul Nevin and under-21s coach Simon Rusk will step in to assist him against Villa tomorrow night, as happened earlier in the season when Calderwood missed a couple of matches for health and family reasons.

Trollope was close to becoming Hughton's No.2 when Calderwood got the job. Trollope also worked with Hughton at Norwich and Birmingham.