Albion boss Steve Coppell has offered one-year contracts to Simon Rodger and Dean Blackwell.

But the experienced pair are keeping their options open before pledging their futures to the Seagulls.

Coppell revealed: "I have made offers to Simon Rodger and Dean Blackwell and they will chew them over.

"They are very much non-committal and I accept they are going to play the field.

"They are in a good position in many ways, as players at the end of a contract who are wanted.

"We have a limited budget. The offers have not knocked their socks off but they are competitive for the level we are at."

Coppell will contact former Crystal Palace midfielder Rodger and ex-Wimbledon centre half Blackwell again once he returns from a week's holiday.

They were both key figures in Albion's ultimately vain fight against relegation from the First Division after Coppell signed them on short term deals.

Dave Beasant is on holiday and Coppell has not yet spoken to the veteran goalkeeper.

He was also signed on a short-term contract last season as cover for the injured Michel Kuipers.

The build-up to the new season gathers pace in the next fortnight.

The fixtures are published on Thursday, the first year pros report back the following Thursday and the rest of the squad on June 30, slightly earlier than normal.

Coppell said: "A lot of work is done pre-season in terms of the right preparation.

"I am very much a believer that if you don't do things right pre-season it can carry over into the season proper. That has happened to me before.

"I am comfortable with our pre-season schedule.

"It is never 100 per cent as you would like it but we have got a really good home fixture against Leicester."

Albion launch a series of friendlies against non-league opposition at Worthing on July 15.

They visit Third Division newcomers Yeovil on August 1, Micky Adams returns to Withdean with Leicester on August 4 and the new season starts on August 9.

More from the camp at thisisthealbion.co.uk