Chris Hughton has no qualms about continuing to break up the Albion squad that won promotion to the Premier League after Tomer Hemed completed a season-long loan move to QPR.

Niki Maenpaa, Connor Goldson, Uwe Huenemeier, Leroy Rosenior, Steve Sidwell, Oliver Norwood, Jiri Skalak and Sam Baldock have already left or retired this summer.

Hughton told The Argus: “Emotionally it’s probably more difficult because you build up relationships with players and you feel it when they are not playing or disappointed, but professionally no.

“Because what I always have to do is the best job for this football club. Every player wants the best squad and best team possible. That’s the only thing that will allow us to make sure we stay in this division.”

Hemed is poised for his debut for rock-bottom Rangers at home to Wigan tomorrow, together with fellow loan signing Nahki Wells from Burnley.

The 31-year-old Israeli, who has scored 33 goals in 108 games for the Seagulls, said: “I’ve good experience at this level. I scored goals in the Championship for Brighton, so I know how to do it.

“I’ve done good things with Brighton and I can use my character to show that, even though it has been a bad period for QPR, we can do better every week.

QPR chief Steve McClaren said: “He wants to come here not only to score goals for QPR, but help the team in terms of being a leader too. He’s dropped down from the Premier League and he has come to us because he wants to play.”