Albion are planning a Loft conversion which will turn a Hastings teenager into a Seagull.

They are poised to offer a contract to central midfielder Doug Loft following a successful trial.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Michel Kuipers has emerged as a transfer target for Rushden and Diamonds.

Watched by manager Mark McGhee, Loft impressed for the Reserves last night, together with Kuipers, in a 0-0 draw against Reading at Worthing.

Loft, left-footed and attack-minded, moved to Hastings in November from Gillingham.

He joined the Seagulls on trial last week on the recommendation of coach Dean White and scored in a training ground friendly against Le Havre under-21s.

The star of the show for the Reserves was Kuipers. He made a string of fine saves in front of Rushden keeper Andy Woodman.

The League Two team have asked about the availability of the Seagulls' Dutch former No.1. Rushden need a goalie as Woodman is sidelined by a snapped Achilles.

Kuipers' distribution has cost him his first team place. He was replaced by Frenchman Florent Chaigneau for Albion's last two games against Southampton and Coventry.

Kuipers returned to first team action over Christmas following 11 months out with serious shoulder damage and a loan spell with Rushden's League Two rivals Boston.

Albion will not allow him to go anywhere until they complete the £20,000 signing of former on-loan keeper Wayne Henderson from Aston Villa.

Henderson is expected to complete his move before Saturday's visit by Leeds and Albion are also making progress on their two striker targets, one from the British Isles and the other from abroad, although deals for both are unlikely to be finalised until next week.

Kuipers may well have played his way back into the first team frame with his performance last night.

McGhee said: "His attitude has been excellent but also I can see he is clearly annoyed. That has got him at it and that's a great thing. It benefits us, so who knows?"

Kuipers' kicking was much better against Reading's second string and he kept the visitors at bay with some outstanding stops in both halves.

He denied Leroy Lita, Reading's £1m England Under-21 striker, returning from an ankle injury, twice in the opening four minutes.

Kuipers went on to make further saves from Simon Cox and, after the break, two more eye-catching efforts in quick succession which foiled substitutes Pierre Joseph-Dubois and Scott Rendell.

Kuipers rounded off a magnificent display by diving to hold a free kick by Scott Golbourne.

Adam Hinshelwood continued his comeback from nine months out with knee damage with an encouraging run-out at the heart of the defence.

Hinshelwood, made captain, was replaced midway through the second half by Steve May.

Albion Reserves: Kuipers; T. Elphick, G. Elphick, Hinshelwood, Rents; Robinson, Carey, Loft, Jarrett; McCammon, Turienzo. Subs: Gatting for Turienzo (withdrawn 64), May for Hinshelwood (withdrawn 65), Cox, Sullivan, Fraser.