Coppell: I hope Brooker stays

By Simon Fudge  

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BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION boss Steve Coppell has urged Paul Brooker to put pen-to-paper on the contract extension that has been tabled to him.

The 26-year-old was the match-winner on Saturday, as The Seagulls earned three valuable points with a 1-0 win against promotion-chasing Nottingham Forest at the Withdean Stadium.

Brooker has been in fine form for the South Coast club, with Brighton having climbed off the bottom of the table in recent weeks.

Coppell hopes the midfielder will end the uncertainty over his future and agree to sign a new deal with the club.

"I haven't been involved in any of this. As far as I was aware, a contract had been agreed but it hasn't been signed," Coppell told The Argus.

"You have to respect that players are in a very strong position.

"If you are a good player coming to the end of your contract there are going to be people after you.

"If Paul wants to test himself in deeper waters then he has got to play well to do it, so it is only to my advantage.

"Long term, we obviously want him at the club. I think he is a terrific asset."