ALBION are ready to unleash record signing Jurgen Locadia in the FA Cup.

Boss Chris Hughton has confirmed to The Argus his intention to hand the Dutch striker his debut in Saturday’s fifth round clash against Coventry at the Amex.

Leo Ulloa is also likely to start for the first time since rejoining the Seagulls on loan from Leicester.

Locadia has been recovering from a hamstring injury sustained before his £14 million capture last month from PSV Eindhoven. He appeared in the matchday squad for the first time as an unused substitute in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Stoke in the Premier League.

Hughton, asked if Locadia will feature in the last 16 against the League Two underdogs, told The Argus: “At this moment yes, that would be my thinking.

“He has been out for about six weeks. He trained certainly enough to be on the bench (at Stoke). But also Glenn (Murray) at the moment is in good form and it’s good to have those options.”

Ulloa came off the bench for Murray for the third time in succession in the last 20 minutes at Stoke. He needs game time, having been restricted to brief substitute appearances at Leicester for most of the season.

Hughton will once again use the FA Cup to make widespread changes. He said: “It’s not a distraction. We’re delighted to be in the Cup. We’ve got a very competitive squad at the moment.

“Our bench is probably as strong as it’s been and it’s a really good opportunity to use the squad. It’s a competition we definitely want to go through in. We will need that competitiveness right the way through to the end of the season.”

Albion have now opened the upper tier of the East Stand due to demand, which in line with the third round tie at home to Crystal Palace is mainly from non-season ticket holders. They have also opened the West Stand upper. Coventry have sold out their allocation of over 4,500 seats in the South Stand.