Gordon Greer is being held in reserve for Albion’s trip to Charlton on Saturday.

The Seagulls field a strong second string against Brentford at Lancing tonight, which does not include their fit-again skipper and centre-half.

Greer returned to the first team squad as an unused substitute for the 1-1 draw against Bournemouth at Withdean last Saturday.

The Scot has not played since suffering a calf injury in the early stages of a reserve team friendly at Reading more than a month ago.

Boss Gus Poyet has decided against giving Greer an outing ahead of the visit to The Valley, where he was sent off for former club Swindon in the play-offs at the end of last season.

Poyet confirmed: “Gordon’s calf is completely clear now. If it wasn’t he wouldn’t have been on the bench.

“We had a chat about that, because it was important if something happened in the first few minutes that he was ready to play.

“He’s ready. He is completely free of pain and able to run.”

Greer is guarded about his prospects of making only his second start since switching from Swindon for £250,000 in the summer.

He said: “Adam El-Abd and Tommy Elphick have looked solid, while Lewis Dunk came into the team at Tranmere and had a very composed game.

“The gaffer must be delighted to have plenty of competition for places in defence right now.”

Fran Sandaza is rated 50-50 by Poyet to be involved at Charlton , due to a slight thigh injury sustained in training which ruled the Spanish striker out of the squad against Bournemouth.

Poyet said: “It’s nothing serious. He just felt a little bit tight and couldn’t strike the ball as well as normal.”

Albion otherwise have a clean bill of health for their bid to build on their lead at the top of the table against tenth-placed Charlton.

Poyet will hold talks with Steve Cook today to discuss whether or not to extend the young central defender’s loan stint with Eastbourne Borough, which finishes at the weekend.