ALBION face being without No.1 Mathew Ryan for several matches in the Premier League next season.

The Australian World Cup keeper’s ever-present record will be wrecked by a club versus country clash.

January could be a write-off for Ryan, due to the Socceroos’ involvement in the 2019 Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Australia will be trying to retain the crown they won four years ago. Ryan will be a key figure for his mentor and former Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold, who takes over from Dutchman Bert van Marwijk after the World Cup in Russia.

The Aussies also reached the Asian final in 2011 and Ryan will miss at least four matches if they get there again.

They have group games against Jordan (January 6), Palestine (January 11) and Syria (January 15).

Last 16 ties are staged from the 20th to 22nd, quarter-finals the 24th to 25th, semi-finals 28th to 29th and the final on February 1.

Albion host Everton on December 29, then visit West Ham on New Year’s Day. Ryan will miss Liverpool’s trip to the Amex on January 12. Albion play Manchester United at Old Trafford a week later, go to Fulham on January 29 and entertain Watford on February 2.

The Seagulls are in the market for two new goalkeepers as back-up for Ryan, with Tim Krul and Niki Maenpaa both expected to leave and Christon Walton primed for a loan return to Wigan.

Candidates include David Button of Fulham, who Krul could replace at Craven Cottage.

Albion will be keen to make headway on the revised goalkeeper pool before flying out on July 8 for a training camp in Austria and friendly in Switzerland against St Gallen on July 14.

Ryan could be unavailable, due to World Cup commitments. Spanish youngster Robert Sanchez, one of the keepers for the trip to Austria a year ago, has been loaned out to Forest Green Rovers for the season from July 1.

Ryan, who made an outstanding contribution to Albion’s Premier League safety in all 38 matches last season, plays against Denmark on Thursday (1pm), a game crucial to Australia’s hopes of progressing from the group following Saturday’s unfortunate opening defeat by France.