Andrew Crofts is back in contention for Albion as they come to terms with the crippling casualty list which has undermined their promotion bid.

Crofts travelled but was not involved in last night's 2-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in the first leg of the play-offs in which they lost four players in under an hour through injury.

Connor Goldson (thigh strain), Tomer Hemed (hamstring), Steve Sidwell (knee) and Anthony Knockaert (ankle) are all expected to miss the second leg at the Amex on Monday evening.

The Seagulls are set to be without TEN players in total for the return clash, the quartet joining long-term injury victims Bobby Zamora and Solly March.

Rohan Ince, Jake Forster-Caskey and Chris O'Grady are all unavailable under the terms of their loan spells away from the club and Dale Stephens serves the second of a three-match suspension for his controversial red card in last Saturday's automatic promotion decider at Middlesbrough.

Boss Chris Hughton's biggest headache is in central midfield following the injury suffered by Stephens' replacement Sidwell. He jolted his knee when Sheffield Wednesday keeper Keiren Westwood caught him with his studs collecting a free-kick.

Hughton could give a full league debut to Irishman Richie Towell, who came off the bench last night for his first Championship appearance.

He could opt for an emergency solution, with Bruno the likeliest candidate for a switch in position, or bring back the experienced Crofts who was back on loan at his old club Gillingham in the latter part of the season.

Hughton confirmed this morning: "Crofty is available. He was in the squad yesterday. The only reason he wasn't involved is because I felt he hadn't done enough but he'll train today and tomorrow."

Uwe Huenemeier, out since December with groin damage, resumes training for the first time today. The German or Glen Rea, formerly on loan at Southend, could be named on the bench as centre-half cover for captain Gordon Greer and Lewis Dunk, who is available after a two-match ban.

Dutch pair Danny Holla and Elvis Manu have also been earmarked for surprise returns to the matchday squad, with Hughton's resources stretched to the limit.

Possible second leg line-up: Stockdale; Bruno, Greer, Dunk, Bong; Skalak, Kayal, Towell or Crofts, LuaLua or Murphy; Baldock, Wilson. Subs (from): Maenpaa, Rosenior, Calderon, Rea, Huenemeier, Towell or Crofts, Holla, LuaLua or Murphy, Manu.