Albion boss Peter Taylor has ruled out loan swoops for any of his players as the table-topping squad aims for glory on three fronts.

The Seagulls go to fifth-bottom Bury on Saturday as leaders of the Second Division on goal difference.

Albion then go to Cambridge United next Tuesday in the southern section quarter-finals of the LDV Vans Trophy and host Rushden and Diamonds live on Sky TV in the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday week.

Taylor said: "It is coming up to Christmas, so I don't think it is in our interests to let anybody out on loan.

"In my situation that would mean I can only replace them with loan players and loan players are not easily available over Christmas."

Taylor is puzzled by comments attributed to Luton manager Joe Kinnear on the Hatters' official website concerning Albion centre half Matthew Wicks.

Kinnear is said to want Wicks on loan with a view to a permanent move. The former Wimbledon chief said: "I've already agreed a price."

Taylor revealed: "I have read about Luton's interest, but I've never had any contact with Joe on that.

"They lost 4-1 on Saturday, so whether that changes his mind I don't know. I think I know Joe well enough that he would have picked up the phone and if he has offered a fee he would have offered it to me.

"They certainly haven't done that and they haven't done it to my chairman."

Wicks lost his place on the bench at Swindon last Saturday to youngster Adam Virgo as Taylor continued a rotation policy designed to keep everyone on their toes.

Wicks and Virgo figure in a strong reserve line-up for tonight's Sussex Senior Cup tie at Bognor.

Taylor expects goalkeeper Michel Kuipers and rightback Paul Watson to both be fit for the Bury trip.

Watson missed training yesterday with a slight groin problem, while Kuipers' kicking has been hampered by a bruised foot sustained against Peterborough at Withdean last week.

Albion Reserves: Packham; Wilkinson, Crosby, Virgo, Wicks, Brooker, Melton, Pitcher, Rogers, Lehmann, Ramsay. Subs: McPhee, Hammond, Jackson, Hemsley, Sansom.

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