Albion have rejected two bids from Championship rivals Derby County for Dale Stephens.

County are understood to have offered in the region of £2.5 million for the former Charlton midfielder but have been told in no uncertain terms Stephens is not for sale.

He is regarded by the unbeaten Seagulls as a key figure in the centre of the park in tandem with Beram Kayal.

Stephens, 26, has scored four goals in 33 games for Albion since joining them from Charlton in a deal worth around £700,000 in the January 2014 transfer window.

He returned towards the end of last season from ten months out with ankle nerve and ligament damage and scored against Derby at the Amex in March.

The Rams' new manager Paul Clement is engaged in widespread attempts to bolster his midfield after losing England under-21 international Will Hughes to a long-term knee injury.

Derby visit Birmingham tonight looking for their first win of the season following a hat-trick of draws in the Championship and early exit from the Capital One Cup against Portsmouth.