ANDREA Orlandi is on course to ease Albion’s injury crisis after coming through a surgery scare.

The left-sided Spanish midfielder does not need an operation on a knee injury and has a fighting chance of being involved in Saturday’s home game against Millwall.

Keith Andrews (hamstring) could also be back for the clash with the Lions.

Orlandi has not featured since the Seagulls’ defeat on the opening day of the season at Leeds United.

He suffered a bang to his left knee in the early stages of the game at Elland Road but played on.

Cartilage damage was feared when the knee became inflamed but a specialist confirmed surgery would not be required.

The diagnosis is a relief for head coach Oscar Garcia. He is already without Liam Bridcutt, Craig Mackail-Smith and Will Hoskins due to long-term injuries which had to be repaired by surgery.

Andrews and Bruno (hamstring) and Ashley Barnes (hip) are all on the casualty list as well on a shorter term basis.

Right-back Bruno has just resumed training after he was also hurt at Leeds.

Andrews’ absence from last Saturday’s 2-0 win against Burnley at The Amex was precautionary. The midfield loan signing from Bolton could make his full home debut against Millwall.

Meanwhile, Stephen Ward’s revival with Albion has come too early for him to earn an international recall.

The left-back on loan for the season from Wolves has not been included in the Republic of Ireland’s provisional 29-man squad for World Cup qualifiers at home to Sweden on September 6 and away to Austria on September 10.

Ward has helped Albion to consecutive clean sheets in his first two appearances.

Team-mates Gordon Greer (SCotland), Andrew Crofts (Wales), Adam El-Abd (Egypt) and Vitalijs Maksimenko (Latvia) will all be on international duty after the Millwall game.