Albion boss Peter Taylor is backing goalkeeper Michel Kuipers to become even better.

Taylor's vote of confidence for the big Dutch keeper follows a couple of rare mistakes in the table-topping Seagulls' last two matches against Peterborough and Swindon.

"I think it will make him even stronger," Taylor said. "The impression I am getting is that he's got very good character and won't hide.

"He's had a brilliant season and is a tremendous shot-stopper who has been improving on crosses.

"He needs to improve in certain areas, but he's not had an apprenticeship in football like most of us enjoyed, so there are things he is still learning about the game.

"He has got such a cracking attitude that he will learn from his mistakes. We know his kicking isn't that consistent, but it's getting better."

Kuipers, seeking a sixth shut-out in ten matches at Bury tomorrow, injured his right foot when he presented Peterborough with their equaliser at Withdean nine days ago.

It has restricted his kicking and it was a throw-out from the former marine which led to Swindon levelling at the County Ground last Saturday.

"You always have to look at your next game," Kuipers said. "We have played 20 and in 18 or 19 everything has been really good. You can always have a match when everything doesn't go for you, but we still got a result which is very positive.

"We know we will have to work very hard at Bury, because they are on top of their game at the moment, but I think with the quality we have we should come away with a result."

Paul Watson resumed training yesterday following a slight groin problem, but Andy Crosby is unwell and Lee Steele is expected to miss the match for family reasons.

Fifth-bottom Bury, beaten on penalties by Third Division Lincoln in the FA Cup on Tuesday, are undefeated in six League outings at Gigg Lane.

Taylor warned: "On current form they are about second in the division, so there is no doubt it is going to be a tough match."

Meanwhile, Bury have given their Robby The Bobby mascot the boot ahead of Albion's trip to Gigg Lane.

They have lost patience with the antics of the eight-foot policeman, alias 26-year-old local plumber Jonathan Pollard. He was spoken to by police during Tuesday's FA Cup tie against Lincoln for allegedly making obscene gestures to the ref.