Albion defender Tommy Elphick has held talks with boss Gus Poyet over his future.

The centre half wants to stay and fight for another contract but has admitted he could leave if the right offer comes along.

Elphick returns in the FA Cup at Watford tomorrow. He has been a regular in the table-topping Seagulls’ run through to the fourth round but has seen only 16 minutes of League One action since October.

“We have spoken a bit in the last couple of weeks,” Elphick revealed to The Argus. “There have been a lot of rumours flying about but, in terms of my future, he (Poyet) wants me here. If that’s the case then I’m here.

“I am not going to throw my toys out of the pram because I have been left out for a couple of months. That’s not what I am about and that’s not the way I do my business but if a club comes in and says there is regular football for you at a higher standard, or there is regular football and much more money, then you have got to look at that.

“The gaffer was clear with me that if that does happen we will all sit down and talk about it but he doesn’t want me to leave, so I’m here.

“I don’t want to leave, definitely not. It’s a club that is going places. As for my future, I don’t want to be in the position this time next year where it’s all in the papers that Tommy Elphick is one of ten players out of contract in the summer. I want a new contract here and that's what I’m fighting for.”

Elphick, on target in Albion's fourth round exit at Aston Villa last season, will replace Gordon Greer or Adam El-Abd at Vicarage Road but is likely to be back on the bench for Tuesday's league trip to Leyton Orient.

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