Chris McPhee believes he is fit enough to be in Albion's squad for Saturday's trip to Watford.

The young striker played his first 90 minutes of competitive football last night since breaking a bone in a foot during pre-season.

He led the line for the reserves in the Pontin's Combination League defeat against Crawley at Worthing's Woodside Road.

McPhee has now set his sights on a place in the squad for Saturday's Coca-Cola Championship clash at Vicarage Road.

He said: "I feel fit enough to be involved but obviously that is up to the manager.

"He makes the decision so we will just have to see what happens at the end of the week.

"It was good to get 90 minutes and my fitness felt fine.

"After making a couple of runs and chasing the fullback I was blowing a bit but I managed to get through it all right.

"I didn't feel the injury at all and I haven't felt any problems for a while.

"It was a bit sore in training in the first week after I came back but after icing it down it has been fine ever since."

Albion have had an attacking crisis during McPhee's absence.

Manager Mark McGhee resorted to playing defender Adam Virgo as a target man, which paid off with wins over Preston and Leicester.

McPhee admits it has been frustrating watching from the sidelines and is delighted to be finally back playing.

He said: "My mind has been right but my body has not been able to do the things I wanted it to.

"I have been a bit slow so I'm pleased to have come through the match okay.

"One of the most important parts of the game is being able to put in the work at the end and I felt I could do that which was great."

McPhee had Albion's best chance in last night's game.

He had a 59th-minute penalty saved by Crawley keeper Mark Fox, who once had a trial with the Seagulls.

By that time Reds were already ahead thanks to first-half goals from Rob Traynor and former Albion striker Dan Marney.

Richard Carpenter also came through the game unscathed.

The experienced midfielder played his first full match since having a knee operation in the summer.

Carpenter said: "It was hard work and it didn't help conceding two early goals.

"I just wanted to get a good 90 minutes under my belt and I feel I have that now.

"I don't know about Saturday. I have said all along that I will see how I am after every game.

"I feel tired after this one, which is only natural because it is my first 90 minutes. It is just a case of keep pushing on and, hopefully, improving."

Charlie Oatway's intended comeback last night was put on hold after he had an injection in the hamstring injury which has ruled him out since the opening day of the season.

The midfielder trained yesterday, but McGhee said: "We were advised he needs another couple of days to let the injection take full effect."

Goalkeeper Ben Roberts, sidelined since the start of the season by a back problem, has suffered another setback in his bid to resume training.

"Ben keeps breaking down," McGhee said. "We have had it explored to the absolute maximum we can and the surgeon says there is nothing to operate on, so it's just a case of working it out."

Albion: C. May, Reid, Jones, Carey (Mountford 46), Elphick, S. May, Hart, Carpenter, McPhee, Molango (Robinson 46), Jarrett. Subs not used: Fillery, Cox.

Crawley: Fox, Judge (Matten 57), El-Abd, Hemsley, Causon, Keehan (Buchan 80), Traynor, Manuella, Marney, Tait, Kirkwood (Chase 65). Subs not used: Joyce, Robinson.