Michel Kuipers has won the race to be Albion's No. 1, after Ben Roberts was declared a non-runner.

Kuipers makes his first start for nine months at Reading tomorrow, as horseracing fan Roberts has failed to recover from a back injury.

Manager Mark McGhee has confidence in the big Dutchman, who was almost killed in a car crash last year.

"When I came last year I didn't see the best of Michel for all sorts of reasons," McGhee said. "People around here were telling me how much better a goalkeeper he is than I was seeing and I think I know now what they were talking about.

"His attitude in pre-season has been fantastic. He has looked very strong and determined.

"Him and Ben have risen to the competition for the place and Ben has tripped at the last hurdle as it were. He has got himself injured just before the first game and it has therefore made my decision easy.

"Michel will play and it will be up to him to keep his place in the team, as Ben did."

Scholar Chris May, son of former Albion centre half Larry, has been recalled from a loan spell at Burgess Hill to provide cover on the bench.

"Chris has done brilliantly in pre-season," McGhee said. "We feel as if rather than seeking help somewhere else we have got to give boys like this the opportunity.

"If we don't find out now whether he is ready or going to be ready then we never will."