Albion will be without captain Dean Hammond for their most important match of the season.

Hammond is suspended for Saturday's relegation battle against fellow strugglers Millwall at Withdean.

The influential central midfielder was due to serve his ban in last night's Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie at Bristol City but that was rained off and has been rescheduled for January 23 (7.45pm).

Hammond's suspension now rolls over to the clash against Millwall, who are four points below Albion towards the foot of the League One table with a game in hand.

Kerry Mayo is also suspended for the visit of the Lions but Dean Cox is available after a one-match ban and last night's washout gives key defender Adam Hinshelwood more time to recover from the recurring knee trouble which has kept him out of the last three matches.

The Bristol game was postponed after a midday inspection of the waterlogged Ashton Gate pitch by former Premiership ref Steve Dunn.

He said: "There were pools of water on the pitch and, having spoken to the groundsman for the local weather forecast, it was a straightforward decision."

Albion's League One fixture at Leyton Orient, put off due to their involvement in the FA Cup, will be rearranged once their future in the JP Trophy becomes clear.

Meanwhile, out-of-favour midfielder Doug Loft could be on his way to Dover on loan.

Loft has not featured in Albion's first team since the 2-1 home defeat by Chesterfield at the end of September.

Seagulls' coach Ian Chapman reverts to his joint role as Whitehawk manager when the reserves visit the County League leaders in a Sussex Senior Cup replay tonight.