Albion manager Mark McGhee has revealed plans to keep hold of Mark Yeates until the clash against League leaders Plymouth at the end of the month.

Yeates' second month on loan from Spurs expires with the Seagulls' visit to second-placed Queens Park Rangers on January 17.

McGhee is keen to retain the services of the influential young Republic of Ireland midfielder for at least an extra fortnight.

"We will speak to Spurs this week," McGhee said. "Even if they don't let us keep him for a full month we would hope to maybe keep him as far as the Plymouth game.

"Even if they call him back then, we would at least get another couple of weeks out of him."

Yeates' fellow loan signing Zesh Rehman is favourite to partner him in the middle of midfield against managerless Oldham at Withdean on Saturday, as Richard Carpenter serves a one-match suspension.

Rehman, reaching the end of a third and final month with Albion from Fulham, has a fitness edge on Charlie Oatway, who continues his comeback from back surgery in a friendly at Leyton Orient on Wednesday (1pm).

McGhee said: "Along with the likes of Guy Butters, Richard Carpenter has arguably been our most consistent player. Since I came here he has been excellent, so we will definitely miss him.

"Whether Charlie is in contention yet I'm not sure. We need to see him on Wednesday but certainly Zesh must be an option. The one thing about Zesh is he is genuine. We would have no fears if we stuck him in that he would do his best for us, even though it's his last game."

An additional worry for McGhee is a knock received in training by Nathan Jones, who starts a four-match ban after Oldham.

John Piercy, Jones' probable replacement on the left side of midfield when the Welshman is suspended, should resume training today following a recurrence of hamstring trouble.

Injured goalkeepers Michel Kuipers and Ben Roberts returned to full training yesterday.

One or both of them will probably play against Leyton Orient as they press on-loan Ross Flitney for his place against Oldham.

Albion are waiting for a new date for the away game at Luton, which has been ruled out on January 20 by police.

Albion XI (probable): Roberts/Kuipers; El-Abd, Pethick, Virgo, Hinshelwood, Robinson, Oatway, Hammond, Harding, Lee, Marney.