Defender Adam El-Abd has reported no ill-effects to his first run out for seven months.

But Albion have yet to decide what his next step will be as he chases a return to the Championship.

El-Abd, a survivor of the Seagulls’ previous stint in the second tier, played half of Tuesday’s 5-0 reserve team defeat at Crawley as he eases his way back from a stress fracture of his left foot.

Albion have a Senior Cup tie at Peacehaven next Wednesday but boss Gus Poyet will keep options open as to what El-Abd does next.

Poyet said: “He is feeling all right, no problems. We will see what we do now, depending how he feels. There is no specific programme.”

Poyet believes Gonzalo Jara Reyes could yet face Coventry at The Amex on Saturday as he makes progress from a knee injury.

The Albion boss said: “He’s improving daily. Everybody is practically fit except the long-term ones Tommy Elphick and Gary Dicker.”

Coventry will know today whether they will have top scorer Lukas Jutkiewicz on board at The Amex.

Jutkiewicz is being chased by both Middlesbrough and his home town club Southampton, who are reported to keen to tie him up on an initial loan agreement before today’s deadline.

There were no further developments regarding the seven-goal striker last night. Sources in the East Midlands are poised for news close to the 5pm deadline with Sky Blues boss Andy Thorn keen to keep his prized asset.