Alex Frutos is back in contention for Albion's critical trip to Ipswich on Saturday.

The French left winger has shrugged off a damaged rib cartilage, which has ruled him out of the last two matches.

The injury did not become apparent until the day after Albion's 1-1 home draw against Luton last month, when Frutos was doubled up in pain and had to call out a doctor.

It forced him to miss the 2-0 victory at Millwall and Saturday's 2-0 home defeat by Southampton, which has left the Seagulls on the brink of relegation from the Championship with four matches left.

Their fate will be sealed on Saturday if they lose at Portman Road and Easter Monday visitors Sheffield Wednesday beat Norwich at home.

Manager Mark McGhee will be relieved to have Frutos available again to provide natural balance on the left flank if he decides to return to a 4-4-2 formation.

McGhee reverted to 4-3-3 for the win at Millwall, a system he started with but then abandoned against Southampton.

The versatile Gary Hart began up front and then filled in on the left side of midfield in Frutos' absence.

Adam Hinshelwood should be fit to face Ipswich. The young centre half went off late on against Saints with a shoulder spasm.

His replacement, Guy Butters, is scheduled to line up for the Reserves at Crawley tonight (7pm), together with Seb Carole and Joe Gatting, who were also used as substitutes against Southampton.

Albion Reserves (probable): Chaigneau; Dodd, Elphick, Butters, Mayo; Robinson, Nicolas, Loft, Carole; Turienzo, Gatting.