WE MUST KEEP DALE
Sidwell’s plea for pal
BRIGHTON’S midfield ace Dale Stephens has dropped a transfer bombshell.
He has revealed he could quit the club, even if they gain promotion to the Premier League.
Stephens slapped in a transfer request last month to try and force through a move to Burnley but Brighton refused to let him leave.
The former Charlton ace, whose side travel to Barnsley today, is out of contract in the summer and he said: “It is up in the air because I have not committed to anything yet.
“I don’t look past this season. My aim is to get this club promoted.
“The ultimate aim of every player is to play in the Premier League.
“Whether that is with Brighton or someone else it does not change what my job has been all season. It is the same from now until the end, whether I stay or go.
“I have always said it wasn’t the case of me being unhappy here.
“I enjoy playing for this club and will continue to do so until my last day.
Urged
“It is a great club. I have enjoyed being here. Wherever we finish this year I would like to see this club in the Premier League.”
Stephens’ Seagulls team-mate Steve Sidwell has urged the Brighton board to pull out all the stops to keep him.
Sidwell said: “If it was me, I’d be pulling up trees to keep him. It is not just the players saying that, it is the fans as well.
“Everybody can see how important he is to the football club.
“Hopefully his performances will get us in the Premier League and hopefully he will stay.
“The stats with him playing and winning games speak volumes. We need him here. From what I see day to day he enjoys it, so long may that continue.”
Brighton manager Chris Hughton takes charge of the Seagulls for the 100th time, looking for his 50th win.
Hughton said: “One hundred games is a nice milestone but a win on Saturday would be a nicer one.”