Albion received a triple boost today, with the imminent return to fitness of three of their most experienced players.

Manager Mark McGhee expects Guy Butters (calf) and Richard Carpenter (knee) to be back for the Seagulls' next outing at Crewe on Saturday week.

McGhee's squad will be further strengthened by the end of the month by the speedy recovery of captain Danny Cullip following hernia surgery.

Butters' hopes of returning from a damaged left calf for last Saturday's home draw against Sheffield were wrecked by a fresh injury sustained in the same area during training.

"We've had it scanned again and there are no torn fibres, just a strain," McGhee said. "That is very encouraging, because the original injury seems to be okay.

"It gives him a good chance of being fit for Crewe and I have been told Chippy will be fit as well. Malcolm Stuart (physio) is very bullish about that one."

Adam El-Abd also has a chance of recovering from the ankle ligament damage he suffered at Gillingham last month, while Cullip's comeback has been pencilled in for the much-anticipated trip to Sunderland's Stadium of Light on October 30.

"If we can get Danny back for the Sunderland game I'll be delighted," McGhee said. "Malcolm thinks he has got a chance for the Leeds game (23rd), but I'm not holding my breath.

"I'm looking at Sunderland which in itself is terrific, the best news of all. He is only missing three more games. It's just a pity we have got the Cardiff game in-between."

Paul Watson has started non-contact training after major back surgery. Meanwhile, Alexis Nicolas is back in the Cyprus under 21 squad for next Tuesday's home match against France.