Dean Wilkins has been hailed as "one of the best youth coaches in the country."

The accolade comes from Martin Hinshelwood, Albion's director of football.

On Tuesday night Adam El-Abd became the latest of Wilkins' graduates to play for the first team when he made his debut against Boston in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Wilkins has already helped produced the likes of Jake Robinson, Dan Beck, Dan Harding Adam Hinshelwood, Shaun Wilkinson, Adam Virgo, Dan Marney and Chris McPhee for this season's campaign.

Former Seagulls boss Micky Adams, now in charge at Premiership Leicester, was impressed with Wilkins and current assistant manager Bob Booker has gone on record to express his faith in the former Albion midfielder.

And Hinshelwood, who has worked alongside Wilkins for five years, said: "I've worked with a lot of people in my career but to my mind Dean is one of the best youth coaches in the country. There's not many better.

"I think it comes from his knowledge.

"You can't get away with the old-school style any more and Dean is prepared to change with the times.

"Looking after young players now is much more in depth. You have to get their diet sorted out and you have to help them with life skills. It's an all round package.

"We're all delighted he has helped bring Adam (El-Abd) through for the first team. There were four starting in the Boston match who have come through our youth system, if you include Kerry Mayo, and two on the bench.

"People have been critical. They said that if our youth system is so good where are the first team players?

"Well this season quite a few have made an impression. Dean has been getting results.

"It all gives the other kids in the youth set-up the feeling that they could get a chance as well."

Matt Piper is out of the Youth Under-19s Alliance fixture at Portsmouth on Saturday (11am) after damaging a knee in training.

Defender Steve May has been ruled out for six weeks with a broken foot. He is son of former Albion defender Larry May.

Albion under-18s entertain Dulwich Hamlet at Nyewood Lane next Tuesday in the second round of the FA Youth Cup (7pm).