Dean Blackwell is ready to give Albion's survival bid an Easter boost by returning from injury.

The former Wimbledon centre half has recovered from the ankle problem which has ruled him out of the last two matches.

Boss Steve Coppell hopes to have Blackwell available for at least one of the crucial holiday games at promotion-seeking Leicester on Saturday and at home to fellow strugglers Sheffield Wednesday on Monday.

It gives Coppell the option of reviving the system of three central defenders, abandoned in Blackwell's absence for the victory at Reading two games ago.

Injury-plagued Paul Kitson came through a 45-minute run-out in the Reserves on Tuesday, so Coppell has a full squad to select from with the exception of keeper Michel Kuipers, who had an operation last week on his thigh injury.

Coppell said: "Leicester is massively difficult and it makes you think about the options with two games in a short space of time.

"In an ideal world you would play what you consider to be your best eleven, but it may well be this is more of a share the load issue."

Leicester, two points away from promotion, could lose and still go up if Sheffield United are denied victory at Preston, but Coppell knows Albion will receive no help from former manager Micky Adams.

"They want promotion and I'm sure they want to win the championship. He isn't going to do us any favours that's for sure.

"If we even let a suspicion of that thought enter our minds then we are fools."

Leicester have injury doubts about Gerry Taggart, Callum Davidson and Billy McKinlay but Brian Deane could be back after missing the last four matches.

The former Sheffield United forward scored the only goal when the teams met at Withdean just before Christmas.

Adams signed half of the squad on duty for the Seagulls' home defeat against Preston last Saturday.

He said: "It is a big incentive for us to get the win at home in front of our own fans in a full house, but it is not going to be easy.

"The fact that the game is so important to us will give an added edge to my old players who would like nothing better than to spoil the party for me."

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