Albion have put on hold the prospect of Chris Birchall becoming a team-mate of David Beckham in the States.
The Seagulls turned down a request from the former Coventry midfielder’s agent to allow him to spend a couple of days with Galaxy while he was on international duty recently with Trinidad and Tobago.
Boss Russell Slade said: “At the moment he has got a big part to play still in our squad.”
Birchall set to cover for Beckham.
BBC Sports.
Major League Soccer franchise Los Angeles Galaxy want to draft in Brighton's Chris Birchall as cover for David Beckham, reports BBC Radio Stoke.
The Trinidad and Tobago international has been offered a two-year deal, but it would need him to have his contract terminated by the Seagulls.
The 24-year-old can play on the right or in the centre of midfield, and played in the 2006 World Cup finals. Beckham is on loan at AC Milan until the end of the season.
The England international went on loan to Milan from the MLS club and had been scheduled to return to Galaxy on 9 March but wanted to make a permanent move to the San Siro.
Beckham has now part funded a dual contract between AC Milan and LA Galaxy that allows him to play on in Italy before returning to the United States.
Birchall signed for Coventry City in 2006 for £300,000 from Port Vale where he started his career, and joined Brighton in January on a free transfer.
He played in the crucial 2-1 win at Hereford on Tuesday night, and talked to the club about releasing him from his contract afterwards as they battle relegation.
Birchall was the first white player to represent Trinidad and Tobago and qualifies because his mother was born in Port-of-Spain. He also played in the 3-0 defeat to the United States in Nashville on 2 April.