Dean Hammond could get his first chance to prove he is worth a longer deal with Albion in the friendly at non-league Woking tomorrow.

The midfielder, who has signed a three-month deal with David Lee and Dan Beck, missed the opening pre-season friendly victory at Worthing on Tuesday night due to a knee problem.

He has been pencilled in for the clash against the Conference outfit from Surrey.

Seagulls boss Mark McGhee said: "It was disappointing that Dean couldn't play against Worthing because in his position every match counts.

"That is why I tried to give David and Dan full games against Worthing.

"I want to give those on three-month contracts as much opportunity as possible to show us they deserve to be here longer and Dean is obviously one of those. He could be fit for Woking."

McGhee also hopes to play at least one of the three strikers he has on trial.

He has admitted finding a forward remains his top priority as he prepares his players for the Coca-Cola Championship campaign kick off at Reading on August 7 because Leon Knight is suspended, Chris Iwelumo has joined Aachen in Germany and McPhee is recovering from a fractured foot.

McGhee said: "I've been waiting for permission to use the trialists and I think it'll come through for one of them on Friday. But there's no panic, we've still got plenty of time to address getting a striker."

He switched Harding from full-back to midfield against Worthing with Paul Watson and Kerry Mayo right-back and left-back respectively.

McGhee said: "It was not a game you can really judge anything on. I need to see Dan more in that position before we know if he'll play against Reading, for instance."

McGhee cancelled afternoon training yesterday.

"Worthing provided a good fitness workout and they went about it the right way. After working hard for the last ten days they were tired. The most important thing is they stay healthy," said McGhee.

Paul Reid, the Australian midfield player who has signed a one-year deal, will miss the visit to Kingfield and Saturday's trip to new Conference club Crawley due to a thigh strain.

Reid said: "I'm delighted my contract's been sorted out and I hope to be back mid to late next week."

Albion midfielder Nathan Jones has signed a one-year deal. McGhee hopes Dan Harding will pledge his future to the Seagulls until 2007 by signing a two-year extension to his current deal.