Albion will kick-off in Division 3 next season without star defender Danny Cullip.

Secretary Derek Allan has confirmed Cullip will be banned for the first two games. The former Brentford centre half was sent-off for a second bookable offence in last Saturday's 2-1 win at Shrewsbury.

In normal circumstances that would mean an automatic one-match suspension, starting 14 days from the date of the dismissal. But Cullip's punishment is doubled because he has been sent-off previously this season, also for two bookable offences at Plymouth in the FA Cup.

Referee Richard Beeby showed Cullip a red card at Gay Meadow following a foul on Shrewsbury substitute Simon Sturridge in the closing stages. He had already been cautioned in the first half for a fracas with home goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin.

Manager Micky Adams said: "I am disappointed that Danny got himself sent off, but I think he was a little bit harshly treated. He assures me the keeper punched him."

Cullip was a surprise omission from the PFA's Third Division team of the season, voted for by his fellow professionals. No Albion player made the side, which included Macclesfield's former Seagull Richard Barker.

Adams said: "There have been some good individual performances by our boys this season, but players get a little bit blinkered when they vote and tend to look only at the top of the table."

Goalkeeper Mark Walton (knee) is back in training and top scorer Darren Freeman (ear infection) has also resumed light training. They have both missed the last two matches.

The ankle injury which forced Darren Carr off at Shrewsbury is not as bad as first feared and Adams expects all three to be available for the last game of the season against relegation-haunted Carlisle at Withdean on Saturday.

Andy Evans and Mike Turner, two trialists from Barnsley, lead the attack in the Reserves' penultimate fixture at Northampton today (2pm). Ex-Southampton centre half Steve Jenkins also plays.

Albion Reserves: Packham; Palmer, Campbell, Hemsley, Jenkins, Westcott, D. Davis, Aspinall, Thomas, Evans, Turner.