Albion stopper Andy Crosby is on stand-by for his first League start since the end of August at Mansfield tomorrow.

Crosby will form an untried partnership at the heart of the defence with Matthew Wicks if Danny Cullip fails to recover from a recurring calf problem.

The injury has prevented Cullip from training so far this week, but manager Micky Adams will give him every chance to prove his fitness.

"I don't like leaving things until Saturday morning, but in his case I will," said Adams.

"Andy Crosby is a more than adequate replacement for anybody, so it wouldn't disrupt us too much."

Adams has been able to field a settled side throughout the Seagulls' surge into second place. That will change over Christmas even if Cullip plays tomorrow.

Bobby Zamora is banned for the Boxing Day visit to Barnet and his probable replacement, car crash victim Lee Steele, is out until the New Year.

Steele damaged a knee in the accident on Wednesday.

Adams said: "It is probably a three or four week job. The doctors have checked him out and we have given him a couple of days off to get his head right.

"It is a blow to us, but I have no immediate plans to bring anyone else in on loan."

Steele's absence means a recall to the bench tomorrow for Scott Ramsay as Albion bid to bounce back from their FA Cup exit at Scunthorpe.

Check out Seagulls Spotlight for a full preview of tomorrow's clash at Mansfield.