Albion's jinxed striker Will Hoskins faces another long lay-off.

His right knee has not mended as well as hoped following surgery in February.

It is unclear when he will return but he may not be able to play this season.

Hoskins had an operation to repair ruptured cruciate and medial knee ligaments in the knee, damaged during the first half of a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers at The Amex.

The 27-year-old has been dogged by injuries since the Seagulls bought him from Bristol Rovers for £500,000 in May 2011.

He started only two games in his first season with the club, which ended with a loan spell at Sheffield United cut short by a hernia.

The luckless Hoskins broke a foot bone last summer and was ruled out until November.

His injury woes have restricted him to just seven starts and 14 substitute appearances for Albion.

Craig Mackail-Smith is sidelined until September after Achilles surgery, which leaves Leo Ulloa, Ashley Barnes and youngsters George Barker and Brennan Dickenson as the only recognised front men available to head coach Oscar Garcia.

Barker was expected to go out on loan but those plans could be shelved.