Adam Virgo today backed Albion's plans to use the lion's share of a £250,000 transfer windfall on a striker.

Virgo is happy to revert to his recognised role as a defender next season after manager Mark McGhee successfully converted him into an emergency front man in Albion's first season in the Championship.

McGhee revealed in The Argus yesterday that a forward partner for Leon Knight remains his top priority with the £250,000 jackpot landed for the Seagulls by lifelong fan Aaron Berry, who won a competition run by Football League sponsors Coca-Cola.

Virgo said: "It's a nice scenario, regardless of the fact I scored nine goals last season and did a job up front.

"I am not a natural centre forward and we need one who will score 15 goals a season to keep us up or even into mid-table.

"Leon had a quiet season but we know what he can do. He hasn't suddenly become a terrible player overnight.

"If the manager can find someone to play with Leon, that will help the team and I am more comfortable at the back, whether at rightback or centre half."

Virgo will be needed even more in defence, as Adam Hinshelwood is out until Christmas with cruciate knee ligament damage.

McGhee sat down with chairman Dick Knight yesterday to discuss how to use the transfer bounty. The money has to be spent by the end of August on fees and or wages.

McGhee insists the current wage structure will not be disrupted and he refuses to pay inflated prices to any club eager to cash in. It is the same principle as when a small club sells a player for £1 million and then prices quoted to them go up," he said. "We have just got to be determined to get value for money."

Meanwhile, Virgo will be fit for the start of pre-season training next month following minor surgery last week to repair two torn knee cartilages which affected him towards the end of the campaign.