Bruno has admitted he fears Albion could slip behind their play-off rivals if they miss targets in the transfer window.

But the right-back has vowed the squad will push on for the play-offs, even if the club draw a blank.

The Seagulls are in need of reinforcement going into the last two days of the January market.

Albion were still trying to secure Charlton midfielder Dale Stephens as The Argus went to press last night but their interest in Huddersfield’s Adam Clayton had been knocked back.

The Seagulls are four points off the top six and Bruno said: “We can still improve. We have had a lot of absentees, we have lost players.

“No reinforcements are arriving and it is hard to compete like that.

“The other teams up near the top are signing a lot of players. It is hard to compete against that sort of team. If no one comes we will be stretched to the limit but we will do what we can.

“Other teams are paying what they are paying to sign good players.

“We, for the time being, are not buying but we are selling.

“I respect the decision of the club, of course. They are the people who have to decide.

“But the team feels it when important players leave or when Crofty is injured.”

Clayton is among the possible replacements being studied for Andrew Crofts, whose season has been ended by a knee injury.

The 25-year-old Mancunian made his name at Leeds after coming through the youth ranks at Manchester City.

He can play in any of the positions in Huddersfield’s midfield triangle but is at his best at its the attacking tip.

Huddersfield have told fans not to expect departures this month, despite smashing their record fee to bring in striker star Nahki Wells from Bradford for £1.3million.

And it would take a sizeable offer for them to go back on that without losing face.