Dean Cox is back in contention for a place in Albion's team to face play-off rivals Carlisle on Saturday.

The midfielder's future was under a cloud after he was axed from the squad for the second time in three months for disciplinary reasons.

Cox watched Tuesday's 4-2 victory against Gillingham from the stands for comments he made after being substituted during Saturday's 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient.

Cox was dropped in December following a dressing room row but as far as assistant boss Dean White is concerned his latest misdemeanour is forgotten.

White insisted that Cox is being considered for the trip to Brunton Park after he scored for the reserves in their 2-0 win over Lewes in the Senior Cup on Wednesday evening.

White said: "Dean has done his job. He's available for selection - he will be involved.

"There were a few out there who have given us a nice selection problem."

Albion are backing Steven Thomson to make a quick comeback from injury.

Boss Dean Wilkins reckons the odds favour his Glaswegian midfielder being available for the testing trip to third-placed Carlisle.

Thomson pulled out of Tuesday's win over Gillingham with a neck problem.

He visited an osteopath yesterday and will have more treatment before Albion make the long trek to face the Cumbrians.

Wilkins said: "We are hopeful. It's difficult to comment but I'd say it is more likely he will be available than not."

The Albion manager admits he needs all the experience he can get as the play-off race hots up.

He said: "I'm trying to get the players to take responsibility.

"We need people throughout the side to take control when things aren't going quite right.

"Experience is vital in these situations. We are asking people to do that job with limited experience."

Wilkins was at the City Ground on Monday when Carlisle went second for 24 hours by beating Nottingham Forest 1-0.

He said: "It was a really interesting game because it was two teams with different formations.

"Forest had the majority of the possession but Carlisle were pretty confident in coping with it.

"Carlisle looked organised and mobile and they've got energy throughout the side. It will be a tough game.

"What we have shown, though, is if we're very solid as a unit we've got players who can create something out of nothing. We should be very confident too."

Should Dean Cox play against Carlisle?