Mark McGhee hopes Dan Harding will be fit to face Watford in nine days.

Harding has a hamstring strain that ruled him out of Monday's victory at Leicester and sidelines him for England's European Under-21 Championship qualifier in Austria tomorrow.

The defender has been treated by national boss Peter Taylor's medical staff this week and might be available for the second qualifier in Poland next Tuesday.

Albion manager McGhee said: "We didn't want to risk him against Leicester and the England under-21s won't risk him in Austria.

"We'll see at the weekend whether he will be involved in the game next Tuesday. But I very much doubt he will be."

McGhee feels sorry for the 20-year-old left-back but knows the Seagulls might benefit if Harding fails to make the Poland game because it avoids any chance of an injury setback.

He said: "It's an absolute sickener for Dan but football is like that. It picks you up and then knocks you down. But our priority is ourselves.

"For his career development we want him to play for England but first and foremost we must consider Brighton and Hove Albion and we want Dan for the Watford game."