Brighton boss Micky Adams insists Adam Virgo`s return to the club will not spell the end for young stars Tommy Elphick and Joel Lynch.

Virgo this week re-signed for the Albion three years after leaving for Celtic in a £1.5million deal, while Adams has also brought in another centre-half in the shape of Colin Hawkins from Coventry.

But Elphick and Lynch formed an impressive defensive partnership for much of last season, and Adams insists they remain part of his plans.

"Young players need competition and role models," he told The Argus.

"We`ve had no bids for Tommy or Joel. They are in the melting pot, like everybody else.

"It would be stupid of me to think we have got two young centre-halves who are going to take us through the whole season, because that isn`t going to happen."