ALBION are preparing to wrap Mark Ormerod in cotton wool for the next 48 hours.

They cannot afford him to get injured before Saturday's home game against Barnet because of a chronic goalkeeping injury crisis.

The Seagulls are waiting for the results of an X-ray on a thumb injury sustained in training by youth team No. 1 Will Packham.

He was replaced in the Reserves at Southampton last night by youngster Darryl Trigg, completing a two-match trial from Wivenhoe.

Mark Walton does not resume training until Monday after a hernia operation and Brian Parkin, the keeper Albion had planned to sign as cover for Walton, is sidelined by a hamstring injury.

Manager Jeff Wood said: "If Will's thumb is fractured it will just be a case of Orms not doing anything much today and tomorrow, apart from a jog and stretching.".

Wood is still hoping to strengthen his squad before today's 5pm transfer deadline.

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