Former Albion defender Paul Watson is joining the club’s medical team as assistant physiotherapist.

He will work alongside a new head physio as part of a restructuring of the department by manager Russell Slade following the retirement of long-serving Malcolm Stuart.

Watson, already part-qualified, will combine his new role at the club with his studies to become a chartered physio.

The Hastings-born right-back made more than 200 appearances for the Seagulls, helping them to back-to-back promotions in 2001 and 2002, before joining Coventry.

He later dropped into non-league football, including spells with Crawley and Bognor.

Watson, 34, had a role in Albion’s community department last season and also helped out with reserve team physio duties.

He will now be responsible for the reserves, as well as shadowing Stuart’s soon-to-be-appointed replacement.

The new-look medical department, headed by club doctor Tim Stevenson, will also include a full-time masseur.

Slade is poised to strengthen his coaching team and scouting system as well in a wide-ranging overhaul of the way the club is structured.

Meanwhile, ambitious Huddersfield could make a move for Albion’s transfer-seeking striker Glenn Murray after the retirement of Andy Booth.