Tariq Lamptey’s latest injury setback might initially be worse news for Albion down the left than on the right.

The jet-heeled wing-back has been a sensation for the Seagulls ever since he made his debut away to tomorrow’s opponents Leicester City last June.

He added a new dimension to the Seagulls’ work down the right, attacking big spaces from deep in the wing-back berth.

Albion had hoped his comeback might come against the Foxes as the sides meet at the Amex.

Expectation had grown. For example, reader Geoffrey Baker emailed us yesterday with a suggestion as to how Lamptey might even help his low-scoring team in attack.

Then came the disappointment yesterday as his continued absence was confirmed by Graham Potter during the usual Thursday lunchtime media conference.

Lamptey would not have started the match anyway but it looks like it will be Joel Veltman down that side for a while yet.

Expect more of a back four than three or five tomorrow, although the Dutchman will be asked to raid like a wing-back when the chance comes.

His form on the right has been a big plus of recent weeks.

Not just defensively but also in attack, offering crosses, playing intelligent passes or even scoring a goal.

There is an argument Albion are neither better nor worse on the right depending on whether Lamptey or Veltman plays. They are just different.

On the left it is another matter, at least while Adam Webster remains absent with an ankle problem.

Albion have missed Solly March, who is out for the rest of the season due to a knee injury.

Dan Burn shows an ability to stride forward and deliver crosses that he possibly never knew he had before playing for Graham Potter.

But, for all his efforts, it is not quite the same when he is playing essentially as left full-back.

That has been the case in recent weeks.

Lamptey’s return would, had Potter seen fit, allowed Veltman to play in the back three and released Burn for a more genuine wing-back role.

Webster’s return is still expected to be after the forthcoming international break and would do likewise.

For now, Burn will play more as a left-of-three centre-back or full-back, although he will still offer what he can going the other way.

You have to go back to the first hour or so at Liverpool, their most recent win, for the last time Albion had the defensive shape they really want. Albeit one with Lamptey absent through injury.

Since then, they have been adapting as they have gone along.

Burn, criticised by fans at times, has shown the flexibility to make that work.

Potter said: “Defensively I would argue we have been a back four. When we lose the ball, Joel Veltman is more of a right-back than maybe Steven Alzate or Leandro Trossard.

“Like anything you have to adjust a little bit because clearly we don’t have another Solly March.

“We have lost Tariq Lamptey and Adam Webster as well.

“You just to find the right combination. I think Dan Burn gives us the possibility to play a three and he can also play in a left-back position.

“The actual formation is fluid. It doesn’t have to stay. Sometimes it looks like a four, other times it looks like a three.”

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The quest to find that ideal formula continues against Leicester.

Michal Karbownik made his senior debut last time Albion played them, as a right wing-back.

He was right-back in a four for the under-23s last Friday and looked better going forward than defensively.

It would appear a long shot that he will face the Foxes again, although nothing can be ruled out.