ALBION are reassessing their January options after losing Izzy Brown for the rest of the season.

The Chelsea loanee suffered serious knee damage in the early stages of Monday's FA Cup win over Crystal Palace at the Amex.

Brown tore an anterior cruciate ligament in a challenge with Jeffrey Schlupp and was forced off just six minutes into the match.

He revealed the grim diagnosis last night on his Instagram account.

Manager Chris Hughton told The Argus: "It's one we didn't expect. This probably does change it a little bit. It's really disappointing news, more for Izzy than us.

"The only thing these days is an ACL is not what it was years ago. Solly (March) has made an absolute full recovery but it's a blow. We think a lot of him.

"He's a young lad who has made a really good impression at the club and in the second half of the season he would have played more games.

"It's very fresh and what we will have to do is assess the situation."

The versatile Brown joined Albion on a season-long loan in July after helping Huddersfield to promotion last season.

He suffered a hamstring injury on the opening day against Manchester City and, operating in the No.10 role, was handed his fifth start of the season by Hughton against Palace the day after turning 21. He also made nine substitute appearances.