ALBION boss Chris Hughton says he would have “no problem” playing goal king Glenn Murray against Derby County in the FA Cup.

Hughton has only Murray and Jurgen Locadia as No.9 options for tomorrow’s fifth round tie at the Amex (12.30) and the next Premier League game at Leicester ten days later, as Florin Andone is suspended.

Murray, responsible for more than a third of Albion’s league and cup goals, came off the bench to score winners against Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough when they reached the quarter-finals last season.

He repeated the feat with an extra-time double in the fourth round replay win at West Brom earlier this month and the extended break before the Leicester game has increased the possibility of using Murray from the start against Derby.

Hughton told The Argus: “We are conscious that we’ve got the extra three days. We don’t play until the Tuesday.

“Glenn has been a very durable individual anyway. We’ve got a few knocks and bruises but generally the decision I will make will be because of selection – opportunities, having a strong bench and so on, working around some of the knocks that I’ve got.

“But if you are asking about Glenn as an individual he is very durable, doesn’t pick up too many injuries so no, I’d have no problem playing Glenn.”

Hughton, who will maintain his FA Cup pattern of multiple changes, believes victory can act as a tonic for Albion’s mounting relegation anxieties.

“Yes it can,” he said. “Who ever I put out on Saturday’s it’s a part of the squad, part of the group.

“There is not going to be anyone playing who has been that far away and that much of a surprise.

“So yes, a win on Saturday is a win for the team and a win for the squad.”

A minute’s applause will be observed at all the last 16 FA Cup ties in memory of former England goalkeeping legend Gordon Banks, 81, who lost his battle against kidney cancer.