Albion are still on the hunt for a left-back when the January transfer window opens, with long-term injury victims Gaetan Bong and Liam Rosenior both several weeks away from comebacks.

The Seagulls tried to sign a left-back during the loan window, when Rosenior’s injury compounded the absence of Bong.

They will attempt to give themselves extra insurance again next month, in case anything happens to Inigo Calderon.

The only natural cover for Calderon at present is Adam Chicksen, who has not been in the first team frame under Chris Hughton.

Bong suffered a ruptured thigh tendon against Preston at the Amex at the end of October.

A month later, Rosenior, switched from right-midfield to left-back, sustained medial knee ligament damage in the home game against Birmingham.

Hughton remains wary of not being caught short by the left-back crisis in January. He revealed to The Argus: “It’s still very much a consideration of ours.

“We are conscious with Gaetan being out for the period of time that he is and Liam as well, which was a bigger blow because it was on top of Gaetan, that it is a problem area.

“We’ll take into account that we want to try to be in the best place we can be come the end of the window, because other teams will. Everybody will be trying to be as strong as they can and we’ll be no different.”

Bong recently started running after surgery was required to repair the damage. Hughton said: “At the moment we are looking at end of January, beginning of February. Certainly by the end of January he will be back in training with the team.

“It really depends on the stages, how quickly then he can be available for matches. Liam will be longer. We are probably looking at the end of February.”

Albion have been linked with Leicester left-back Ben Chilwell, currently on loan at Huddersfield. The Argus understands the 19-year-old is not a main target.