Albion boss Sami Hyypia fears Craig Mackail-Smith is working too hard in his quest for a return to top form.

He believes the striker should have more pampering than gym time.

Mackail-Smith is likely to lead the line again against Cardiff on his 100th appearance for the Seagulls at the Amex tonight, with Sam Baldock a big doubt for the second game running due to a calf injury.

Mackail-Smith has scored three goals this season, two of them in the Capital One Cup against Cheltenham and at Burton last week, one in the Championship in Albion's last league win at home to Bolton in late August.

The former Peterborough marksman only returned to action at the end of last season after 13 months out with Achilles and ankle problems.

Hyypia said: "He was out for a year or so. It's not very easy to come back.

"The period that you come back to top form takes more than the period you are out.

"I think he is on his way to top fitness. I don't think anybody can be at the peak of their form or peak of their career in this short period after so long out.

"He is working very hard every day and in every match. Sometimes he maybe needs to take it a little bit easier himself as well.

"I see him a lot after training in the gym, doing his stuff and his strength work.

"Sometimes it could be better that he takes a massage and rests.

"But the mentality he has, to work hard to come back to top form, is great."

Mackail-Smith is the only recognised striker to have scored for Albion in the Championship this season.

Former Seagulls defender Adam Virgo has questioned the club not signing a like-for-like replacement for Leo Ulloa following the Argentinian's move to Leicester.

Virgo, BBC Radio Sussex's match summariser tonight, said in an interview with Talksport on Saturday morning before Albion's 0-0 draw at Nottingham Forest: "Craig Mackail-Smith is leading the line.

"He missed a lot of last season through injury and they have tried Sam Baldock. They are similar players to each other, where I felt they could have signed a similar player to Ulloa, a big target man who can hold the ball up, who can head it, with decent pace as well. They haven't quite managed to do that.

"With Sami the way they are playing is totally different to how they were playing last season. Even though they have scored (only) eight goals they are creating a lot of chances. The problem is they are just not taking them."