Albion are sharpening up their back-up players, in case they are needed during a hectic run of fixtures.

Niki Maenpaa, Seb Pocognoli, Solly March, Kazenga LuaLua and Richie Towell all had run-outs for the under-23s in a 2-1 victory against Wolves at Crawley’s Checkatrade Stadium last night.

The Seagulls face seven games in 30 days, starting with Saturday’s trip to Cardiff. The sequence, including matches against top five rivals Birmingham and Leeds, will put a strain on Chris Hughton’s squad.

Hughton watched the under-23s emulate the first team against Fulham at the Amex on Saturday by coming from behind to win.

They had a deficit to retrieve when Will Randall rounded keeper Maenpaa from a long ball to give Wolves a 14th minute lead.

Albion levelled in the 56th minute, former Motherwell central defender Ben Hall getting a decisive touch when the Wolves defence failed to deal with LuaLua’s corner.

Injury-hit Irish midfielder Towell produced a neat finish inside the box 13 minutes from time from March’s header to complete the recovery.

The under-23s are back in action on Thursday against West Ham in the Premier League Cup at Dagenham before the Checkatrade Trophy clash with AFC Wimbledon next Tuesday.

Albion (4-3-3): Maenpaa; Collar, Hall, Hunt, Pocognoli; Molumby, Hutchinson (Starkey 78), Towell; LuaLua, Bjordal (Duffus 70), March. Subs not used: Sanchez, Barnett, Harper.