Adam Virgo has been handed another new role as Albion's spot-kick deputy.

Virgo has been nominated by manager Mark McGhee to take the penalty if Albion are awarded one in Sunday's Championship showdown at home to fellow strugglers Gillingham.

Leon Knight won the game for Albion from the spot at Gillingham in September but the Seagulls' regular taker is suspended after collecting five bookings.

Defender turned top scorer Virgo was successful in the penalty shoot-out of the play-off semi-final second leg against Swindon at Withdean in May after levelling the aggregate scores in the dying moments.

Knight, whose last penalty for Albion at Millwall was saved, will get the job back if he is in the side at Wolves next Tuesday. "We'll forgive him for that," McGhee said.

Gillingham and Nottingham Forest have both closed to within four points of Albion ahead of the hectic Christmas programme but McGhee remains optimistic about the Seagulls' survival prospects.

"If Gillingham and Forest maintain their form then they are both heading for 40 points," he said.

"The second half of the season started for us against Stoke last Friday.

"We lost the first game of the first half, against Reading, but still managed to take 25 points. If we do that again now we'll be fine.

"Gillingham is not a must win game but if we did win it would be a massive result for us.

"It could be a turning point in getting away a bit."