Michel Kuipers reckons Albion can do a Rotherham and start thriving after surviving.

Ronnie Moore's Millers stayed in the First Division by the skin of their teeth last season following consecutive promotions.

Now they are in the comfort zone, well clear of another relegation battle and on the fringes of the play-off race.

Kuipers is confident Albion will be in a similar position this time next year.

"If we can stay up this year then we can consolidate and I am sure we are going to do much better next year because of the experience," he said.

"We have learnt a lot. It's quite a big jump to get two promotions on the trot. You need a year to consolidate, like Rotherham did when they came up twice.

"That first year in the First Division they were struggling as well, but they survived and have now turned themselves into a very good, mid-table and possibly play-off team. I think we have to take an example from that."

You will not find a more positive person in the camp than Kuipers. Albion are still stuck at the bottom, but the big Dutchman refuses to even contemplate the possibility of an instant return to Division Two.

"I'm not thinking about relegation at all," he insisted. "The boys have got loads of quality. I think by the end of the season that quality will count for us and I am sure we will stay up."

Kuipers manages to maintain the most optimistic of outlooks, even in his current injury-blighted predicament.

Albion's affable No. 1 has been plagued by back-related thigh trouble for more than a year now.

He damaged his kicking muscle again in the first half of Albion's League win at Norwich on Boxing Day.

He played on without kicking and continued in goal against Burnley and Coventry before the situation came to a painful climax on Albion's return to Norwich in the FA Cup last month.

Kuipers crumpled to the floor and this time could not carry on, Will Packham taking over in the Seagulls' 3-1 exit.

"I took a kick and just felt my thigh muscle had torn apart," he said. "I instantly went to the floor and held on to my thigh. I straight away knew what was going on.

"All the other times I had torn fibres in parts of the muscle. That was why in the other situations I was able to play on. This time it was really torn apart.

"Now I just have to rest it and do a good rehab, then hopefully it is going to stay good forever after this."

The importance of Kuipers to the team is demonstrated by how they have fared without him.

Simon Royce arrived on loan from Leicester last season, when Kuipers' thigh problems began in a Christmas fixture at home to Chesterfield.

Andy Petterson also covered for him earlier this season and now Ben Roberts and Dave Beasant have been brought in to deputise.

In the 15 matches Kuipers has missed through injury during that time, Albion have lost nine, won three and drawn three.

The prognosis after the latest setback was that he could be out for up to eight weeks.

Kuipers, positive as ever, regards that as a challenge. "I will be looking to come back quicker than that," he said.

"Over the coming weeks I am going to do loads of strengthening work, so hopefully I will be back as soon as possible."

Kuipers is not the most patient of patients. He experienced elation and deflation when Roberts made an accomplished debut in the 1-1 draw with Portsmouth.

"I'm an uncomfortable watcher," he admitted. "I find it hard to control my emotions. I want us to win, so I am cheering or the opposite when things are not going so well.

"Off the pitch the nerves and adrenalin are still there. Before the game in the changing room, when you see the lads all ready to go out, you just can't wait to get out there yourself.

"When I watch the games I just want them to do really well. We are just one team and whoever plays you want them to do well, because the result is the most important thing.

"At the moment we have Will Packham, we've got John Keeley the goalkeeping coach and now Ben and Dave have joined us for the time being. You work together, learn from each other and push each other hard."

Kuipers, at 28, is still relatively young in goalkeeping terms. Keeley has already spoken about his Premiership potential, but Albion's first choice custodian is only concerned about getting himself fully fit so that he can help them replicate Rotherham.

"Obviously you want to end up playing at the highest level possible, but at the moment I am just looking short-term," he said. "The most important thing this season is to stay up in the First Division."

Rotherham visit Withdean in five weeks time, by which time the Seagulls' prospects of emulating them could be a lot clearer. Knowing Kuipers, you would not bet against him being back between the posts by then as well.