STEVE SIDWELL has not given up hope of playing for Albion again.

The injury-hit midfielder has revealed he could still have a role to play for the Seagulls in the FA Cup.

Sidwell cannot play for Albion in the Premier League this season.

He has been left out of their revised squad after back and ankle operations.

The 35-year-old, out of contract in the summer, could still be involved in the FA Cup if the Seagulls reach the latter stages of the competition.

He told The Argus: “I am probably the only one in the building that wants it! That’s a little bit of extra motivation for me.

“Playing-wise that is the only match time I would be getting.

“As far as rehab goes, it’s looking good at the moment. I am probably a week to ten days ahead of schedule.

“I’ll be looking at the middle to end of the March to be well training by then and match fit.

“If it happen it happens, if it doesn’t then we’ll put all of our focus on the Premier League.”

Albion host Coventry in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Saturday week.

The League Two side’s allocation of more than 4,500 tickets for the tie at the Amex sold out yesterday morning within three hours.

Albion visit Sidwell’s old club Stoke City on Saturday, another six-pointer in the heavily populated battle to avoid relegation.

Sidwell said: “It will be a tough game for us, a massive game for us, and we’ve got to realise that.”