Alexis Nicolas revealed today Albion face competition to keep him from going abroad.

The young former Chelsea midfielder is among nine players out of contract at the end of the season.

Nicolas, handed his first start since November for the relegated Seagulls in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Wolves, said: "It's been a hard year for me, not playing. I need to play.

"There are options for me, other avenues apart from England but I've always said I love it here. I love the fans, I feel at home here, so hopefully something can be sorted out.

"To be fair to the gaffer, he's said to me all year he doesn't want me to leave at the end of the season and that he does want me here next year.

"That's all I know. In the next couple of weeks I should think he will get together with my representatives and I'll take it from there.

"It's disappointing that we are down. I'm trying to cope with everything and I really have to see what the club say to me and what the proposals are."

Manager Mark McGhee was pleased with the performance of Nicolas, deputising for the rested Richard Carpenter.

"I thought he did well," McGhee said. "I said in the dressing room afterwards that maybe we have under-estimated the contribution he might have been able to make and that's something I've got to consider.

"He's been very patient. He was injured for a while and he did lose his way a little bit but he has worked really hard in training.

"His attitude has been first class. We have now got to consider next year and Alexis has certainly played himself into the frame."

Meanwhile, Paul McShane has indicated his future lies back at Manchester United after ending his loan stint with Albion.

The centre half returns to Manchester today for hernia surgery tomorrow, ruling him out of Sunday's last match of the season against Stoke at Withdean.

McShane, who handled to gift Wolves Kenny Miller's first-half penalty, said: "I've got another season left on my contract. My aim is to get on the outskirts of Manchester United's first team."