Albion chief Steve Coppell believes Guy Butters still has a part to play in the relegation battle.

The former Gillingham centre half has not featured since Coppell's first match in charge, the 4-2 home defeat by Sheffield United.

Teenager Adam Hinshelwood was called up in place of the injured Dean Blackwell for last Saturday's 1-0 win over Derby at Withdean, while Butters was in the reserves against Hastings last night.

Coppell said: "Guy has, by his own admission, spent a couple of years at Gillingham where he has not been a focal part of the team.

"It's very easy in that situation to get caught between the first team and reserves. You are sub for the first team and don't play regular first team football because of that.

"I think he says for the last couple of years he hasn't really had the bit between his teeth from that point of view.

"He is working very hard now to get his fitness. He isn't far away and I am sure he will make a contribution before the season is over.

"Possession is nine tenths of the law once a player is in the team. It's up to him then in many ways to lose his place."

Butters made his Albion debut against his old club Portsmouth at the end of August.

Previous manager Martin Hinshelwood left out his free transfer signing after six successive appearances so that he could work on his fitness and the Sheffield United match marked Butters' return to first team action.

The 33-year-old has dropped down the pecking order since the arrival of Blackwell, but Coppell said: "He is going to get his opportunity. Over the course of 46 games you will get through a minimum of 25 or 26 players.

"You will probably end up using 30 plus players. He will be used and when he is he will have a critical role to play."

Meanwhile, Coppell expects it to be at least another month before Paul Kitson is in first team contention.

The former West Ham forward has not been involved since the last of his four starts against Gillingham on September 14, due to a back problem which required surgery.

Steve Melton is expected to make his debut on a month's loan to Peter Taylor's Hull in Saturday's home match against Boston.

Shaun Wilkinson plays for Chesterfield's reserves tonight with a view to a month's loan with the Spireites.