Amid the gloom engulfing Albion's first team fortunes at the moment, there is a Rea of light in the under-21s.

Glen Rea, to be more precise. The versatile captain is threatening to follow in the foosteps of Rohan Ince.

Rea, 20, was on the bench at Derby on Saturday as centre-half cover.

Yesterday he was used as the deep-lying midfielder as he completed a 2-0 win for Simon Ireland's side over MK Dons at Lancing with the second goal in the second half.

Ince has already made the conversion in the first team. The former Chelsea prospect was a central defender in the under-21s before his breakthrough last season as a defensive midfielder under Oscar Garcia.

The bonus with Rea is he is one of Albion's own. He has progressed through the ranks and has been groomed in his revised role for some time to exploit his versatility, mobility and strong work ethic.

Rea occupied a midfield spot at international level last month. He qualifies, through a grandparent, for the Republic of Ireland and was selected for two under-21 friendlies in Spain.

He played the full game on his debut against the USA, then scored on his second outing in a 2-2 draw against Russia.

Rea's international claims have been pressed by Albion's academy director, John Morling, who worked previously with the FAI.

The Seagulls' brightest under-21s hope demonstrated his eye for goal by finishing off a well-worked move after Jesse Starkey drove them into an early lead.

Albion have four further group games in the Final Third Development League Cup, starting with a visit to Luton next week. Before that, on Friday evening in the Potteries, Rea has an opportunity to emphasise his potential at Stoke in the under-21s Premier League, providing he is not needed again for the first team against Millwall.