Albion boss Micky Adams is not writing off rookie goalkeeper John Sullivan, despite plans to sign a more experienced understudy.

Michel Kuipers has just signed a new two-year contract, cementing his position as the Seagulls' No. 1.

The Dutchman was ever-present under Dean Wilkins last season, with Sullivan a frustrated onlooker. Adams wants more established competition for Kuipers but Sullivan, who was offered another one-year deal by Wilkins at the end of the season, is still in his thinking.

"The overall goalkeeping picture is that Michel is obviously the man in charge of the shirt at the moment," Adams said.

"We've got a youngster below him, John Sullivan, who at 20 years of age has got a lot of maturing to do as a goalkeeper and developing physically.

"What a lot of clubs do, depending on budgets, is write off young goalkeepers too early in my experience.

"Unless they have got major flaws in their techniques and are not able to grasp what the coaches tell them I think they are written off far too early.

"We are not going to do that with John Sullivan. He has been offered a contract.

"Certainly when he walked through the door to meet me for the first time he had a bit of presence about him. He will be somebody I will be looking forward to seeing if he is capable of putting pressure on Michel.

"Having said that, would we say we are in the market for a goalkeeper? I think the answer is yes.

"Michel is no different to anyone else at the club - we need competition for places.

"If we could get possibly get another goalkeeper in with more experience than John then we will be looking to do that."