Albion No.1 David Stockdale has given a nudge to manager Sami Hyypia that he is ready to return after injury.

And that could mean on-loan Ali Al-Habsi has already played his one and only game for the Seagulls.

Stockdale has been brought to his knees by a broken finger sustained in training, which has sidelined him from the last four matches.

The keeper, who has shed almost half-a-stone during his absence, has hinted ahead of the visit to the Amex of his former club Fulham in eight days time that he is available for tomorrow’s trip to Norwich.

Stockdale tweeted yesterday that he has been back in training for the last two days and feels “fit and ready”.

Hyypia told The Argus: “He’s been on the (training) field. I didn’t see but I hear he did some diving on his knees! I think that was just to get used to going down on his hand.

“He’s done some ball work already and I think he’ll have an X-ray just to make sure everything is fine.”

Christian Walton, back from England Under-20s duty, has deputised for Stockdale in the last two Championship matches after Al-Habsi, on loan from Wigan, made his debut in the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth at the start of the month.

Al-Habsi could not play against parent club Wigan and was then left out of the squad for Blackburn’s visit, as Albion could only use five of their six loan signings.

That problem has been solved tomorrow by Elliott Bennett’s ineligibility to face parent club Norwich and Al-Habsi assured the Seagulls he will be back and available for the game from Saudi Arabia, where he has been playing for Oman in the Gulf Cup.

Al-Habsi’s circumstances have been further complicated by Wigan changing their manager during his month on loan, which expires following Fulham’s visit.

Malky Mackay has taken charge at the Latics after Uwe Rosler was sacked. Mackay could, if he wished, demand Al-Habsi’s early return, since the no-recall rule on a 28-day loan applies only to outfield players, not goalkeepers.

Hyypia said: “I have no control what’s happening there (at Wigan). Ali hasn’t contacted me about possible changes to the plan. I assume he will be back and is available to play.”

Al-Habsi and Oman romped through to Sunday’s semi-finals of the Gulf Cup with a 5-0 win against Kuwait in their remaining group game last night.