Steve Sidwell has been hailed as a “good option” to camouflage promotion-chasing Albion’s striker crisis.

The Seagulls will again be without the injured Sam Baldock and Bobby Zamora for Monday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

That leaves manager Chris Hughton with only Tomer Hemed and James Wilson as recognised front men for the visit to the City Ground.

Hughton adapted the team for Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Birmingham by playing Sidwell behind Hemed, with Wilson on the bench.

He is considering repeating the ploy in the East Midlands, with Elvis Manu out of contention after returning early from an unsuccessful loan at Huddersfield.

Hughton told The Argus: “He (Sidwell) can certainly play there. It’s not his natural position. He’s always been very much an advanced midfield player that likes to break into the box.

“I thought it took him a little while to get into the game but it’s a good option for us.

“Playing Tomer Hemed and James Wilson together doesn’t perhaps gives us a striker option on the bench and with two out as well it heightens the possibility of one getting injured.

“I have to balance it. It’s generally different home and away. The Sidwell one is one I was delighted with in the end. He’s one of three or four midfield-type players who can do that.”

Hughton’s striker options are limited but he is spoilt for choice in wide areas. Anthony Knockaert, Jamie Murphy, Jiri Skalak and Kazenga LuaLua have each started one of the last two games against Burnley and Birmingham.