Brighton and Hove Albion defenders Uwe Huenemeier and Connor Goldson set for rare outings at Bournemouth

The central defender should have been helping out Ipswich in the Championship, rather than sitting on the bench or in the stands for the Seagulls in the Premier League.

Both Albion and Goldson were keen for him to get regular games following his recovery from a heart condition.

A move to Ipswich under manager Chris Hughton's former Republic of Ireland team-mate and centre-half Mick McCarthy looked ideal.

Goldson travelled to Portman Road the night before the deadline and had his medical the following morning.

Everything was in place until Albion were forced to pull the plug. Their own loan deal for Dutch defender Stefano Denswil (below) collapsed at the last minute, his Belgian employers Brugge calling a halt to the switch as another of their players had been ruled out for longer than expected.

Almost three weeks later, Goldson has the rare opportunity of an outing alongside Uwe Huenemeier, the cover combination for Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy, in tonight's Carabao Cup third round clash at Bournemouth.

Both were unused substitutes for Friday evening's Premier League meeting between the clubs at the Vitality Stadium.

Goldson's only other start since January came in last month's 1-0 home win against Barnet in the previous round of the League Cup, now sponsored by a Thai energy drinks company.

Huenemeier said: "It's never easy when you always know at the beginning of the week you are not starting or not even involved, like Connor right now.

"Especially at his age (24). He is young, he wants to play. I'm a bit older (31), a bit more experienced, I can probably cope with it a bit better than he does.

"When you are not starting you just need to train every day and be in the best shape you can.

"It's not easy, but we are both professionals. He is training well and looking forward to the game."

Huenemeier (below) and Goldson were both regulars for their previous clubs. The German captained Paderborn in the Bundesliga, Goldson skippered Shrewsbury in League One.

Huenemeier played a lot to begin with for Albion in the Championship as well before sustaining long-term groin damage in a pre-Christmas home defeat by Middlesbrough.

Duffy arrived from Blackburn Rovers the following summer, and the Republic of Ireland international and Dunk have established themselves as Hughton's first-choice partnership.

Huenemeier made as many appearances in his final season with Paderborn as his first two combined with Albion, but he has no complaints.

He said: "Right now I can accept the situation, because I know Shane and Dunky are doing so well.

"They played really well last year. I just push as hard as I can to push them to better levels.

"Both of them are doing really well, my part is just to be ready if needed.

"It could have been much better for me if I hadn't been injured for such a long time, but that's part of football.

"It was my first, long-term injury. Right now I feel really good.

"We are now at the highest level, the Premier League, and you can't say they are waiting for you when you come back from injury.

"We have four strong centre-backs. If no-one is making mistakes or getting injured the gaffer won't change it. That's how it is.

"I'm still training really well. You always have to look after yourself, be fit, now it's time to show it on the pitch."

The incentive for Huenemeier, Goldson and the majority of the players involved tonight is twofold - reminding Hughton they are ready if required and guaranteeing themselves at least one more game this year in the next round before the FA Cup in January.

"These cup games are a chance for the fringe players to play, so all of us are looking forward to it," Huenemeier said.

"It's going to be a good test, the best we can get right now away to a Premier League side. We know it's going to be a tough one, but when ever you have a game you want to win. That's what we are looking to do, get to the next round."