Paul Barber has reiterated his hope that Dan Ashworth turns down Newcastle.

Ashworth is wanted by the St James' Park outfit after they were impressed by his work a technical director with the Seagulls.

Albion were happy for him to see what the new role would entail and are awaiting his final decision.

But chief executive and deputy chairman Barber said: “I hope Dan stays for as long as possible.

“There are always going to be options for our best people, whether they are coaches or staff, to take opportunities when they come along.

“We can’t control that. But our policy has always been, when we are approached by other clubs for our staff, we want them to go and have that conversation if that’s what they’re being invited to do.

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“Sometimes, and in a lot of cases, they go and have the conversations and they come back to us and say, ‘I am happy here and I like it here more’.

“Whereas if you block people from that, it can build that resentment.

“We hope Dan stays for a long time.”