Brighton defender Tommy Elphick believes new signing Colin Hawkins will provide some much-needed competition at the heart of the Albion defence.

Hawkins, 29, joined from Coventry as Mickey Adams' first transfer coup since his re-appointment as manager.

And Elphick is hoping to form a robust defensive partnership with the newcomer.

Elphick told The Argus: "Colin's obviously not coming in for cover, so there will be competition and hopefully I can have a season playing with him.

"It's a healthy thing. If you look at the squad on paper that finished the season now, Butts (Guy Butters) has gone, there was only me and Joel (Lynch) and Adam El-Abd - so that was one area where we did need to get some more players in."