Albion utility player David Lee is being lined up for a surprise Christmas present, as Leon Knight's stand-in.

Lee has been earmarked to deputise up front for suspended goal ace Knight when Tony Adams' Wycombe visit Withdean on Boxing Day.

It follows Lee's first senior start for the Seagulls since he was signed from Hull nearly two years ago.

The former Southend midfielder played for an hour on the right in Sunday's LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Queens Park Rangers.

Manager Mark McGhee pushed Mark Yeates forward to partner Knight in the first half at Loftus Road but he believes central midfield is the best position for the on-loan Spurs teenager.

"It is still proving difficult to get a striker in but I feel happy as I said on Sunday that I've expanded the squad," McGhee said.

"I didn't think David Lee let himself down and I would have no hesitation in sticking him up front with Chris McPhee.

"I wanted to look at Mark Yeates that little bit advanced. We have now seen him there and wide as well and I am now convinced that his best position is coming from midfield."

McGhee was satsified with the contributions of both Lee and youngster Dan Harding in the defeat by Rangers.

Harding made his third start on the left side of midfield in place of Nathan Jones.

"I've said all along I wanted to be fair to everyone and I don't think we lost the game because of their performances," McGhee commented.

"I was quite pleased with them and I now consider them part of the squad."

McGhee is also poised to keep faith with teenager Adam El-Abd against Port Vale at Withdean on Friday night after the rightback's mistake presented Rangers with their second goal.

"He'll learn from that," McGhee said. "He's only a young lad playing his third or fourth game and that sort of thing is going to happen. We can live with it."

The Reserves have been drawn away to Eastbourne Town in the third round of the Sussex Senior Cup. The match will take place at The Saffrons on January 14 (7.45).