Adam El-Abd has revealed plans to spend the rest of his career with Albion.

The versatile centre half has targeted another new contract and seeing out his playing days with the Seagulls.

El-Abd was hailed by boss Gus Poyet as his best defender when he was awarded an 18-month contract in January.

The 26-year-old stalwart returns to the starting line-up at home to Bristol Rovers today and is on course for his 250th appearance for the club at Southampton on Tuesday.

El-Abd, who made his debut seven years ago, told The Argus: “The main aim for me on a personal level is to be able to secure a longer term deal here, because obviously it’s exciting times with the stadium and the ambition of the club. Hopefully I can be part of it.

“The club has so much ambition now. Getting up and playing in that stadium means potentially being part of a big Championship club that can compete to get into the Premier League.

“All the tools are here, with the chairman potentially backing it to help us do that. If I could be part of it that would be fantastic. It’s my home town club and that would be ideal.”

El-Abd returns to a defence seeking a return to the form which produced five clean sheets on the trot before conceding three goals in last Saturday’s first league defeat since August at Hartlepool and two more in Tuesday’s FA Cup win on penalties at Woking.

Poyet has stressed the importance of resuming winning ways ahead of the trip to tenth-placed Southampton, who were the pre-season favourites for promotion and are still expected to mount a strong challenge.

Poyet said: "We need to win. I think it’s important for us to go to Southampton with a victory and going there with at least a ten-point difference.

"That is a big aim and people don’t realise how important it is that we beat Bristol Rovers. I am sure we are going to be ready for it.”