Do not be fooled by the two digits on the back of Gary Elphick's Albion shirt.

They suggest he is well down the pecking order but Albion's No. 27 could, in fact, be on the brink of his full debut for the first team.

Elphick is ready and, he insists, able to fill in at the heart of the defence should anything happen to his close friend Adam El-Abd or Guy Butters.

Injuries to Adam Hinshelwood and Manchester United prospect Paul McShane either side of Adam Virgo's summer departure to Celtic have left Albion with a shortage of centre halves.

Manager Mark McGhee tried and failed to plug the gap before last week's deadline for loan signings.

Fulham turned down an approach for their former West Ham and Blackburn stopper Ian Pearce while West Ham's Elliott Ward, with a cluster of Championship clubs to choose from, plumped for Plymouth.

Elphick is the only other recognised central defender in the squad to provide cover for El-Abd and Butters.

His chance could come any time between now and the reopening of the transfer window in January, when McGhee will be looking to strengthen his squad.

The 19-year-old has already made his first team debut, all be it in desperate circumstances.

He was aS surprised as anyone when McGhee brought him off the bench as an emergency centre forward in a last-gasp attempt to salvage a point against Sheffield United at Withdean in September.

"At first I thought the gaffer was talking to the linesman," Elphick joked. "My eyes were popping out of my head.

"It would have been nice to do an Adam Virgo but unfortunately I didn't have a chance. It was great to get on anyway in front of our own fans.

"It was nice to be involved earlier on in the season. I've kind of got my foot in the door now and hopefully I am making an impression.

"I'm playing a waiting game and I have got to be patient, then grab my chance when it comes. I'm learning every day and hopefully everything will fall into place."

Elphick, in his first season as a pro, has been creating a good impression in the Reserves after gaining experience with St Albans last season.

Last month he helped snuff out Rowan Vine and Enoch Showunmi, the Luton pair who caused Crystal Palace so many problems in the Hatters 2-0 win at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

"If I was to stop time now and look at what I've done, I'm probably ahead of schedule," Elphick said.

"I think I have come on leaps and bounds this year. I'm really happy with my form in the Reserve games and it's just important that I keep going and keep trying to make a good impression.

"I've got to keep on my toes. Hopefully no injuries will occur but if the chance does come I'm sure I will be good enough and strong enough to take it.

"Even though Reserve football is different I have played against a few good players and last year, in the Conference south, against players like Dean Holdsworth."

Elphick and El-Abd are good friends. They went to the same school, Longhill in Ovingdean, which also produced former Albion stalwart Ian Chapman.

"Whatever he (El-Abd) has done in life I've looked up to him and he has been a big influence on me," Elphick said. "It would be great one day if we could play as centre halves together."

It would be even better for Elphick if younger brother Tommy, also a centre half, eventually partners him for Albion.

They have already played alongside each other in the Reserves, a back injury for Tommy breaking up their double act against Crawley at Worthing last night.

"Tommy has come on leaps and bounds as well," Gary said.

"He's been doing really well down at Bognor on work experience.

"At first I thought the physical aspect of the game could be a problem. He is a big lad and he hasn't really filled his frame yet but he seems to be flying."

The Elphicks are following in their father's footsteps. Gary senior, a well-known face in non-League circles in Sussex, was a centre half for Stoke and Leyton Orient before a knee injury cut short his career.

He also played, amongst many others, for Lewes and was their assistant manager until stepping down in the summer.

"He's been great, a huge influence on me," said Gary junior. "Football isn't always the greatest game in the world.

"It has its ups and downs and when I've had a bit of bad form or something he has always been there and he has always kept me on the straight and narrow."

Dad was on trial with Albion when Alan Mullery was in charge. It may not be long before at least one of his sons is starting a first team match for the Seagulls.