Albion have been given another injury tonic in their battle to beat the drop.

Captain Danny Cullip's hamstring injury is not as serious as was first feared.

It follows yesterday's news that goal ace Bobby Zamora is making good progress from his slight hamstring tear.

Cullip was forced off in the first half of Tuesday's 0-0 home draw against Crystal Palace.

He had a scan yesterday and boss Steve Coppell revealed: "It's not as bad as we thought, not as deep in the muscle as we were led to believe. Every team needs its leader, so we are pleased with that."

Coppell would not speculate on whether Cullip will be fit for next Friday's trip to Reading, who have signed Burnley winger Glen Little on loan. "People heal at different rates," he said.

Yesterday's transfer deadline passed, as expected, with no movement in or out involving Albion.

With Michel Kuipers ruled out for the season they will still be able to sign a keeper but only if Dave Beasant and Will Packham are injured simultaneously.

The Seagulls' relegation rivals were involved in several deadline-beating loan deals. Former Albion forward Ade Akinbiyi has joined Stoke from Crystal Palace, together with Bolton defender Paul Warhurst.

Grimsby have borrowed Preston's Republic of Ireland under-21 midfielder Michael Keane and Cardiff midfielder Des Hamilton, teenage Birmingham winger Richard Evans has moved to Sheffield Wednesday and Manchester City defender Paul Ritchie to Derby. Walsall have added winger Jamie Lawrence from Bradford City.

Albion will pocket £100,000 from south coast rivals Portsmouth if they are relegated and Pompey are promoted to the Premiership.

The cash compensation forms part of a proposed new system of parachute payments for clubs relegated in the Nationwide League.

The 24 members of Division One have unanimously agreed that the three clubs promoted to the Premiership this season will each contribute £100,000 to a fund to be shared between the trio demoted to the Second Division.

All 72 League members will then vote on a proposal at the AGM on June 5 for the clubs promoted to the Premiership to pay £165,000 in future seasons. Sides relegated to the Second Division will receive £120,000 and the teams dropping into Division Three £34,000.

Albion's own website bookmakers have quoted Coppell as a 16-1 chance to become Fulham's manager in the summer.