Sam Rents could still have a future with Albion if he brushes up on his defensive duties.

Manager Dean Wilkins has issued the challenge to the home-grown youngster as he faces further competition to re-establish himself.

Greg Duruz, a 30-year-old Swiss left-back with Champions League experience, began a trial with the Seagulls yesterday.

Duruz, who played for FC Thun, Basle and more recently New Zealand Knights in the Australian A League, will be training with Albion until the weekend.

Rents, 20, has already seen his hopes of grabbing back the left-back spot dashed by the return of Matt Richards from Ipswich on loan.

The youth team product made 29 appearances last season but has played only eight times so far this term. On Wednesday he featured in a reserve side made up mainly of youth team players and first year professionals.

Wilkins said: "He has got a lovely left foot and his delivery on set pieces is good. It's just a couple of aspects of his defending that we are trying to get him to improve."

Rents is fighting for a new contract, as his current deal expires at the end of the season.

Wilkins added: "Of course I wouldn't rule that out but it is mainly down to the aggressive side of defending."

Dean Hammond, Albion's Championship-bound captain, missed training yesterday with a slight calf injury sustained in Tuesday's friendly behind-closed-doors at Reading.

He serves the second of a three-match suspension at Northampton next Tuesday but striker Alex Revell should be available after also skipping training yesterday with a minor groin problem.

Albion have been shortlisted for the best community intitative in League One and best matchday programme in the 2008 Football League awards. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on March 2.

Does Sam Rents deserve a new contract?