Albion transfer target Danny Dichio has rejected a move to the South Coast - for the time being.

The Seagulls agreed a five-figure fee with Preston for the widely travelled centre forward.

New Preston manager Paul Simpson is prepared to let Londoner Dichio go and his personal terms would not be a problem for Albion but he wants to stay in Lancashire to fight for a place with the Championship club, rather than dropping down to League One.

Dichio, 31, has been a target for manager Mark McGhee for some time. He tried to sign the former Millwall, Derby, West Brom and Sunderland striker in the January transfer window as his team fought in vain for Championship survival.

McGhee remarked after the 0-0 draw at home to Preston in March that Albion would have won if Dichio had been partnering Colin Kazim-Richards up front.

Dichio, born in Hammersmith, has not been that prolific during a career which began with QPR and included spells in Italy with Sampdoria and Lecce but is precisely the type of experienced, hold-up performer McGhee is looking for to lead the attack.

With the new campaign only a month away, Albion are loathed to hang around for Dichio to change his mind if he fails to impress Simpson during pre-season.

They remain determined to land a proven centre forward and with Sheffield United's Neil Shipperley, another long-term target, preferring to be a bit-part player for the Blades in the Premiership, will now intensify their interest in Norwich's Peter Thorne.

Thorne, 33, scored goals for Swindon, Stoke and Cardiff before moving to Carrow Road. Albion's only worry is his history of injury problems.

The Seagulls have been denied a customary early start at Withdean on Boxing Day as opponents Yeovil do not want the kick-off brought forward from 3pm.