Albion were today hit by a double injury blow, striking right at the heart of their defence.

Guy Butters has been ruled out for the first time in more than a year and could now miss a reunion with his old club.

The Seagulls have also revealed captain Danny Cullip has been playing with a hernia, which has restricted his training and will eventually require surgery.

A calf injury sidelines Butters from tomorrow's home game against Queens Park Rangers.

The injury, sustained in Tuesday's unfortunate 1-0 defeat by Wolves at Withdean, wrecks Butters' unbroken run of 51 League games stretching back to the start of last season.

The Seagulls' player of the year, 35 next month, is also now doubtful for the visit a week tomorrow to his former club Gillingham.

Manager Mark McGhee said: "Guy has torn quite a few fibres, but it does not look serious beyond Saturday. At worst he will miss two games."

Albion are depending on Cullip to carry on playing through the pain barrier until his regular partner Butters is fit to return.

"Danny has been suffering with a hernia," McGhee said. "He's not been doing a lot of training, but he is still in great shape because he looks after himself so well.

"We will have to get it fixed, but we will keep him going until he cannot go on any longer."

Kerry Mayo moves into the middle of the defence tomorrow alongside Cullip, with England under 21 international Dan Harding returning to the starting line-up at leftback.

Richard Carpenter is back in the squad for the first time this season following a summer knee surgery. He is expected to be on the bench with fellow midfielder and lifelong Rangers fan Charlie Oatway.

Rangers, promoted automatically behind Plymouth last season when Albion went up via the play-offs, are bidding for a hat-trick of wins.

McGhee warned: "We mustn't think that just because we know them well it is going to be easier to get a result.

"We have already played Plymouth and been battered by them, so there is a lesson there, but we believe at the moment we can beat anyone."