Carpenter in race to be fit
by Andy Naylor
Albion midfielder Richard Carpenter today received an unwelcome late birthday present - the threat of missing another match.
Carpenter, 32 yesterday and two games into his comeback from summer knee surgery, is doubtful for tomorrow's home clash against Sheffield United.
He was hurt towards the end of Wednesday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, which could add to the Seagulls' mounting injury problems.
Manager Mark McGhee revealed: "Richard's got a knock on the other knee, not the one he had surgery on. He was struggling for the last 15 minutes. We need to see how it is, but it's touch and go."
Albion have already lost captain Danny Cullip for six weeks. He finally had his delayed hernia operation yesterday.
Charlie Oatway filled in at rightback on Wednesday after Adam El-Abd damaged ankle ligaments at Gillingham last Saturday.
McGhee is holding back from a move into the loan market, as Albion have a fortnight's break after United's visit and Paul Watson is creeping closer to a return from major back surgery.
"We've got one game on Saturday, we are playing well and the right parts of the team are going to be there," McGhee said.
"If Chippy (Carpenter) doesn't make it then Charlie is an able replacement, if Charlie goes into midfield we can put Paul Reid at rightback.
"I'm not going to panic into getting a player on loan, because we then have two weeks to see how Watto is. He starts training again next week.
"During that two weeks we can take stock and see whether we think we need a couple on loan."
Guy Butters should be fit to take Cullip's place in the centre of defence tomorrow after missing the last three matches with a calf injury. That will allow defender turned top scorer Adam Virgo to remain up front.
"Butts is looking good," McGhee said. "He had a full session on Wednesday with no problems, so we are very hopeful he will be allright.
"Virgs going back in the second half at Forest invited them onto us, so we really need him up front."
Sheffield give a debut to striker Danny Cadamarteri, bought yesterday from Leeds for £50,000.
Meanwhile, Albion midfielder Dean Hammond has signed the new contract offered to him until the end of next season, as revealed in The Argus on Tuesday.
Leftback Dan Harding has been included in Peter Taylor's England under 21 squad for the Euro qualifiers against Wales next Friday and in Azerbaijan four days later.
by Andy Naylor
Albion midfielder Richard Carpenter today received an unwelcome late birthday present - the threat of missing another match.
Carpenter, 32 yesterday and two games into his comeback from summer knee surgery, is doubtful for tomorrow's home clash against Sheffield United.
He was hurt towards the end of Wednesday's 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, which could add to the Seagulls' mounting injury problems.
Manager Mark McGhee revealed: "Richard's got a knock on the other knee, not the one he had surgery on. He was struggling for the last 15 minutes. We need to see how it is, but it's touch and go."
Albion have already lost captain Danny Cullip for six weeks. He finally had his delayed hernia operation yesterday.
Charlie Oatway filled in at rightback on Wednesday after Adam El-Abd damaged ankle ligaments at Gillingham last Saturday.
McGhee is holding back from a move into the loan market, as Albion have a fortnight's break after United's visit and Paul Watson is creeping closer to a return from major back surgery.
"We've got one game on Saturday, we are playing well and the right parts of the team are going to be there," McGhee said.
"If Chippy (Carpenter) doesn't make it then Charlie is an able replacement, if Charlie goes into midfield we can put Paul Reid at rightback.
"I'm not going to panic into getting a player on loan, because we then have two weeks to see how Watto is. He starts training again next week.
"During that two weeks we can take stock and see whether we think we need a couple on loan."
Guy Butters should be fit to take Cullip's place in the centre of defence tomorrow after missing the last three matches with a calf injury. That will allow defender turned top scorer Adam Virgo to remain up front.
"Butts is looking good," McGhee said. "He had a full session on Wednesday with no problems, so we are very hopeful he will be allright.
"Virgs going back in the second half at Forest invited them onto us, so we really need him up front."
Sheffield give a debut to striker Danny Cadamarteri, bought yesterday from Leeds for £50,000.
Meanwhile, Albion midfielder Dean Hammond has signed the new contract offered to him until the end of next season, as revealed in The Argus on Tuesday.
Leftback Dan Harding has been included in Peter Taylor's England under 21 squad for the Euro qualifiers against Wales next Friday and in Azerbaijan four days later.
