ALBION boss Chris Hughton has played down an injury scare suffered by David Stockdale.

The goalkeeper has not been on the Seagulls’ pre-season training camp in Tenerife, due to a setback following toe surgery.

Hughton told The Argus: “He had a very minor op on his toe which was going to be okay.

“Unfortunately he had a little problem with the wound so we’ve left him behind. It shouldn’t be any problem, but it has put him back a week or more.”

The injury is a rare blow for Stockdale, who played in all 48 of Albion’s matches in the Championship last season including the play-offs.

Stockdale’s impressive form enabled him to stave off competition from Finnish international Niki Maenpaa, who has signed a new contract.

Maenpaa has been part of the squad preparing for the new campaign in the Canary Islands, together with Spaniard Robert Sanchez from the under-21s.

They will feature in an in-house match today before the players fly back to England.

Stockdale now faces a race to be ready for Albion’s programme of friendlies, which begin at Crawley next Saturday (3pm).

The 30-year-old Yorkshireman, bought from Fulham two summers ago, is set to pass 100 appearances for the club this season and 300 in a career which has also included spells with York, Darlington, Rotherham, Leicester, Plymouth, Ipswich and Hull.

Meanwhile, contrary to reports, The Argus understands Albion are not still in the hunt to sign Charlton midfielder Jordan Cousins.

The representative of Jake Forster-Caskey, who has been in Tenerife with the rest of the Albion squad, is in talks with Rotherham over a potential move to the Millers for the midfielder as revealed in yesterday’s Argus.

Fleetwood right-back prospect Tyler Forbes will complete his switch to the Seagulls for a five-figure fee next week.