Albion are poised to offer Peter Brezovan a longer term contract.

The 6ft 6ins Slovakian goalkeeper has impressed manager Gus Poyet in the three matches he has played.

Brezovan played under Poyet at Swindon, when the Uruguayan was assistant to Dennis Wise.

The Seagulls’ chief signed him on a short-term deal until January 2 earlier this month, with Michel Kuipers still sidelined by a groin problem and Graeme Smith ill.

Kuipers was available for selection at Swindon on Saturday but Poyet kept faith with Brezovan and had the long-serving Dutchman on the bench.

Brezovan’s accomplished displays against his old club and, before that, Exeter and Colchester, have strengthened his case for a more permanent deal, which could signal the departure of Smith.

Poyet said: “It is something we are going to have to negotiate. I want to talk to Peter first and to the club but he is making a point.

“From the moment Michel got the injury we were having problems in goal. I needed to bring somebody in because Graeme Smith was sick that week.

“We took a gamble on him and I am very pleased with his performances and the way he is helping the club.

"He is putting the manager in a difficult situation, so I need to make decisions about it.”

The January 2 FA Cup third round tie at Torquay marks both the end of Brezovan’s current contract and the loan deal with Arsenal for right-back Gavin Hoyte, who was dropped from the starting line-up at Swindon.

Poyet may already have taken steps to strengthen his relegation-threatened squad by then.

He has spoken to chairman Tony Bloom about the business he would like to do during January.

Poyet has also reiterated his desire to act as soon as the transfer window opens, with time of the essence in Albion’s increasingly perilous position in the League One table.