Anthony Rougier may have played his last match for Brighton and Hove Albion.

The on-loan Reading striker has been ruled out of tonight's trip to Sheffield United by a twisted right ankle sustained in the early stages of Saturday's 1-0 home win against Nottingham Forest.

Rougier's month with the Seagulls expires after Saturday's visit to Ipswich. He is keen to stay but Reading manager Alan Pardew wants him back for the play-off run-in so he could line up against Albion next month.

Albion boss Steve Coppell said: "His last game will be on Saturday, if he is fit. It's a little bit concerning because apparently it's an injury he's had before."

Gary Hart is favourite ahead of Graham Barrett to partner Bobby Zamora at Bramall Lane as Albion try to build on Saturday's fifth victory in seven games at home to Nottingham Forest.

Coppell said: "I know Harty and Graham have been chomping at the bit.

"I don't know which way I am going to go as yet but as one person goes out of the equation it's an opportunity for someone else. I am sure they will look upon it that way."

Tonight's game is the first of three critical matches in the space of a week with the trip to promotion chasing Ipswich on Saturday followed by the visit of arch rivals Crystal Palace three days later.

The Seagulls have got themselves out of the relegation zone with five wins from their last seven games and Coppell said: "We don't want to let it go downhill from here. We've got to push on then take advantage of the situation.

"If we can get a few points from this spell of matches it would make a difference to us.

"It's an intensive period of games against quality sides and I don't think anyone in the division would like to play those three sides within a week."

Saturday's goal hero Paul Brooker, however, knows it will be even tougher for Albion to prise a result from the Blades than it was against Forest.

They are unbeaten for five matches, including an FA Cup quarter-final triumph at home to Leeds.

Brooker said: "We had a good win against Forest but Sheffield United are also a very good team in the play-off zone and the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

"They proved down here earlier in the season they never give up. We were flying at 2-0 at half time, but they came back and won 4-2. This is right up there as one of our hardest games. They don't give many points or goals away at home."

Coppell said: "They are such a quality outfit with some exceptional individuals. They seem to have attackers in abundance.

"We know exactly what is going to be coming at us and we must try to meet them face on and go for it.

"Everyone will be looking for them to have a fairly comfortable victory, so it's a great position for us to be in."

Stoke and Grimsby, both two points behind Albion in the fight for survival, visit Wolves and Rotherham respectively and rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday have a Yorkshire derby at Bradford.

Meanwhile, Brooker has revealed he is keen to agree a new contract.

"I can't really say much, but I want to sign and I want to stay," he said.

Paul Kitson is due to make a comeback from injury in the Reserves against Plymouth at Worthing tomorrow night (7.45).