Albion could be without captain Dean Hammond for only the third time this season against Huddersfield at Withdean on Saturday.

The influential midfielder is struggling with a double hernia which left him almost crying with pain during last Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Scunthorpe.

The Argus revealed last week that 11-goal Hammond has been carrying the injury since before Christmas. He got through 90 minutes again against the League One leaders but has not been able to train since.

Manager Dean Wilkins said: "It is still sore so we had to rest him yesterday as well. He is feeling it in games.

"He said he could have cried when he hit one great diagonal ball late in the game against Scunthorpe to release Jake Robinson so he is clearly in some discomfort."

The only matches Hammond has missed this season were home defeats by Yeovil on Boxing Day through illness and Millwall in January due to suspension.

Hammond's hernia and Kerry Mayo's back problem, which also sidelined him from training today, provides an extra incentive for the players involved in tomorrow's Reserve team fixture away to Crystal Palace (7pm).

The line-up includes Tommy Fraser, making his comeback from a three-match suspension, and Doug Loft, who returned to the first team squad for the first time since September as an unused substitute against Scunthorpe.

Season ticket holders can buy two East Stand tickets for £5 each for Huddersfield's visit, a scheme launched for last month's home game against Rotherham.

Albion Reserves: Kuipers; P. Hinshelwood, Rents, Fraser, Elphick, Breach, Loft, Hart, Elder, Gatting, Frutos.