Mark McGhee today backed Dean Hammond to rediscover his scoring touch against Norwich City on Saturday.

Hammond had to be consoled as he left the field following the goalless draw at Leicester on Tuesday night after missing a glorious chance to snatch all three points for the Seagulls.

The midfielder made an explosive start to the season by finding the net twice in the opening three games but has struggled in front of goal in recent weeks.

The 22-year-old's woes continued at the Walkers Stadium when he headed wide from three yards 13 minutes from time but McGhee is confident Hammond can bounce back with a matchwinning display against Norwich.

"We are playing well but we have got to start taking our chances," said McGhee. "Dean Hammond should have three more goals than he has at the moment and those misses are costing us.

"He has got to put them away if he is to maintain his reputation as a goalscoring midfielder but I have no doubt that he will rediscover his goalscoring touch soon.

"I still have complete confidence in Dean. He is getting into the right positions and I'm sure that when the next chance comes along he will take it."

Tuesday's stalemate means Albion have now drawn seven of their 11 matches, more than any other team in the Championship,and McGhee is aware they must start converting one point into three.

He said: "We know that we need about 51 or 52 points to avoid relegation so drawing every game isn't going to be good enough. But we are hardly going to draw every game for the rest of the season so there is no reason to panic.

"Obviously our aim is to start turning draws into wins but as long as the performances stay as high as they have been recently then we will remain confident that will happen."

Norwich's England under-21 striker Dean Ashton has been ruled out of the trip to Withdean.

Ashton suffered a depressed fracture of the frontal sinus in the 1-0 defeat by Reading at the weekend but was given the all-clear to face Hull City on Tuesday.

However, the 21-year-old was replaced just before half-time after complaining of dizzyness and will join fellow striker Leon McKenzie on the sidelines.

The Seagulls will be without Gary Hart, who is unlikely to have recovered from the virus which has kept him out of the last two games, while Richard Carpenter is also doubtful with a foot injury.