Albion boss Sami Hyypia has stood by David Stockdale ahead of the goalkeeper's birthday clash with Blackpool.

The Seagulls have kept one clean sheet in the Championship so far and Stockdale, 29 tomorrow, was widely blamed for Ipswich's second goal by Daryl Murphy in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat at Portman Road.

Hyypia said: "I don't like to point a finger at anyone. It was a good shot and when it goes in everyone looks at the keeper first."

Meanwhile, Stockdale has backed Kit Symons for the manager's job at his former club Fulham.

Under-21 chief Symons has been promoted to caretaker charge at Craven Cottage after Felix Magath was sacked yesterday.

Stockdale spent six years at Fulham before joining Albion for £1 million last month.

He tweeted this morning before training: "For me the job at FFC has one mans name on it. Kit Symons knows the players and also has their respect!"

Albion face relegated Fulham twice in a month in the winter, at the Amex on November 29 and in South-West London on December 29.