Albion are at an important period in their automatic promotion push.

It is also a critical stage for Seb Pocognoli.

The Belgian international left-back on loan for the season from West Brom is effectively engaged in an extended audition which could determine whether he is with the Seagulls next season as well.

Pocognoli, out of contract at the Hawthorns in the summer, has made it abundantly clear he has no future in the West Midlands after severely limited opportunities under Tony Pulis.

Signed to compete for the No.3 shirt with Gaetan Bong, he is now enjoying a run in the side due to the former Cameroon World Cup defender's continuing absence with a knee injury.

Pocognoli made his league debut for Albion against tonight's visitors Ipswich in the 0-0 draw at Portman Road in September.

He had to wait until December for his next start, but has now featured in the last five matches in succession.

That is giving manager Chris Hughton a better guide to what he is capable of. Hughton told The Argus: "That's something we had to find out about Seb. He came here on the back of a long period, probably a year-and-a-half, where he hadn't played really, certainly hadn't played regularly.

"He was involved in a lot of squads, had a few games at the start of the previous season.

"We brought him in to give competition to Gaetan. That might have meant playing some games, some games out.

"Gaetan has, of course, been a mainstay for us. It's interesting to see how he develops in this period, where he is getting a series of games."