Albion manager Mark McGhee today granted Adam Virgo his wish of a starting place at centre half.

The Brighton-born youngster will partner Guy Butters at the heart of the back four against Hartlepool at Withdean on Saturday in the anticipated absence of injured captain Danny Cullip.

It will be the first time Virgo, 21, has begun a game in his favourite position since McGhee took charge. "I think Adam is a centre half and ultimately that is where he will end up," McGhee said.

"If he maintains the same level of performance he showed as a midfielder against Grimsby and in recent games at rightback then we will not have any problems."

McGhee has emphasised his faith in the youngsters by confirming 19-year-old rightback Adam El-Abd will come in for Cullip with Dan Harding, 20, continuing at leftback.

"They have proved themselves," said McGhee. "Adam El-Abd did well after Danny went off at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday."

Paul Watson, Albion's regular rightback until runnning into injury problems, is undergoing ultra-sound treatment to drain a pelvic cyst.

Long-term knee injury victim Dean Blackwell will have strength tests at Fulham's training ground later this week with a view to resuming full training next Monday.

Meanwhile, Port Vale moved into the final play-off spot behind Albion despite being held to a 3-3 draw by Swindon last night.

Vale led 3-0 by the 58th minute thanks to goals by Billy Paynter and Stephen McPhee (two) but the fourth-placed Robins stormed back to snatch a point.

New signing Paul Reid makes his home debut in the Reserves against Aldershot at Worthing tonight (7pm).

Albion Reserves: Kuipers; Reid, Hinshelwood, Elphick, Mayo, Beck, Lee, Hammond, Piercy, Robinson, McPhee. Subs: Budd, Windsor, S. Jones, Piper.