Chris Hughton insists Brighton are not over-reliant on the goals of Glenn Murray.

Veteran striker Murray scored twice against Fulham on Saturday as the Seagulls overturned a two-goal deficit to salvage a 2-2 draw.

The 34-year-old is one of the first names on Albion’s team-sheet, with his early-season form a continuation of his performances last term when he hit 12 goals to keep the south-coast club in the Premier League.

Boss Hughton believes he has sufficient striking talent in reserve and expects Dutch forward Jurgen Locadia and summer signing Florin Andone to push for starts.

Asked if Albion were too dependent on Murray, Hughton said: “No, because at this moment he’s in the team ahead of Locadia, who we like, perhaps simply because he’s scored goals.

“If that changes and Glenn’s not playing so well or not scoring goals or he has an injury, then I’d like to think we’ve got very good competition in Locadia and Andone to come back in.

“All players like to be kept on their toes and Glenn’s not different to anybody else.”

Murray’s second-half double came after Fulham threatened to become only the fifth club to leave the Amex Stadium with three top-flight points.

The visitors, whose goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli denied a first-half spot-kick from Pascal Gross, went ahead through Andre Schurrle, before in-form striker Aleksandar Mitrovic added a second.

Hughton felt Murray’s overall performance was below par but says he is a persistent goal threat.

“I didn’t think it was one of Glenn’s better games. But that’s what Glenn does, he has a knack of being in the right place,” added Hughton.

“What he does have is a big desire to score goals. Generally he’s in the box and he’ll be sprinting into the box.

“We provide a platform for him – at training, games – but it’s all about himself really and his desire to want to do as well as he can for as long as he can.

“He’s a good professional and we try and look after him the best we can.”