Albion could re-sign Andy Petterson to resolve a goalkeeping crisis.

Boss Steve Coppell wants another keeper, because ankle ligament damage has ruled out Will Packham for at least a fortnight.

Packham's injury, sustained in training last Friday, meant 41-year-old coach John Keeley was on the bench 24 hours later as cover for Michel Kuipers in the 5-0 derby drubbing at Crystal Palace.

Under-17s keeper Chris May was unwell, so Alex Bryant had to play for the under-19s on Saturday.

Coppell said: "We were forced into the situation and John even if he had come on would have done a decent job, but it is not professional. It is not a First Division outfit who conduct themselves in that way.

"We have got Andy Petterson, who trained with us yesterday. That's an option, to bring him back for another month just as stop-gap cover.

"In an ideal world I would like to bring somebody else in to put realistic pressure on Michel Kuipers."

Australian Petterson was signed by Coppell's predecessor Martin Hinshelwood on month-to-month terms earlier this season when Kuipers and Packham were injured.

The former Portsmouth and Charlton custodian made eight consecutive appearances in the first team, the last of them at Ipswich in the Worthington Cup last month.

The goalkeeping shortage was one of the items on Coppell's agenda last night when he met chairman Dick Knight and the rest of the Board.

Albion's other injury problems are gradually clearing up. Nathan Jones (knee) and Geoff Pitcher (heel) may both return to action in the reserves at Bristol City tomorrow (2.00).

Robbie Pethick (foot) and John Piercy (ankle) are back in light training and Gary Hart is expected to be fit for Saturday's home game against Bradford, despite bruising a hip in the Palace debacle.

The Seagulls are planning to send Paul Kitson to Lilleshall for a week for concentrated treatment following his back operation.

Coppell will study video evidence before deciding whether to appeal against Paul Brooker's red card against Palace.

He initially felt Brooker deserved to be sent-off for a foul on hat-trick hero Andy Johnson which gave Palace the second of two penalties, but Coppell said: "I have been told he actually made good contact with the ball."

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