Albion's new signing Daniel Webb is ready to tangle with promotion rivals Reading for Friday night's showdown.

Boss Peter Taylor has revealed the 18-year-old striker may go straight into the squad for the Withdean game.

Webb trained with the Seagulls for the first time yesterday following his season-long loan from Southend, which will be upgraded to a £25,000 permanent move next summer.

Taylor said: "He could well be in the squad. We will just see how his week goes. He is a young lad and I just want him to get to know the boys.

"I feel he will have something to offer us before the end of the season. I think we will definitely use him.

"That doesn't mean he is going to start on Friday night, but he is not a million miles away. He's got some good qualities and that is why I have brought him here."

Webb, who lost his place in the Southend side after dad David departed as manager in October, declared: "My target is to get into the team. I know that is going to be very hard with Brighton on top of the Second Division, but it's nice to come into a winning set-up.

"If the manager wants to play me I will be up for it and I think I could do it. I haven't come here just to play reserve team football week in and week out, so I will be pushing for a place."

Paul Watson and Gary Hart, who together with Simon Morgan and Robbie Pethick are a booking away from one-match bans, both missed training yesterday.

Watson is nursing a sore shoulder and Hart a dead leg from Saturday's FA Cup second round victory over Rushden and Diamonds. Taylor expects the pair to resume training again by the middle of the week and be fit for selection.

Seats for Albion's third round tie at home to Preston on January 5 go on sale tomorrow to season ticket holders, Rushden ticket stub holders and litter patrollers.

Members of the away supporters scheme have to wait until next Tuesday to apply, with any tickets left going on general sale the following day.

Albion centre half Andy Crosby is going to Oxford as the new captain of the Third Division strugglers.

The 28-year-old is heading for the Kassam Stadium on a two and a half year contract and is expected to lead Oxford out at home to Mansfield on Saturday.

Boss Ian Atkins said: "The lad is a leader, a talker and organiser. We have got good players here, but they are very naive and need somebody with his experience."