Michel Kuipers and Ben Roberts will go head to head to earn the No. 1 spot for Albion's season opener at Oldham on August 9.

Seagulls boss Steve Coppell has issued a challenge to both goalkeepers to stake their claim, which will begin in the pre-season friendly at non-league Woking tonight.

It was expected that Kuipers, a first team regular until a thigh injury sidelined him in January, would reclaim the spot with his deputy Dave Beasant departed.

But Coppell remains concerned about the Dutchman's kicking, a legacy of his New Year injury.

He sees Roberts, signed on a two-year contract after a successful loan spell last season, as a direct rival.

Coppell said: "With Michel having been injured so long we were still not 100 per cent on his kicking ability and how long he could sustain it for.

"I made the decision that I could get a goalkeeper of substance in. I couldn't run the risk of having a very inexperienced No. 2 knowing that maybe Michel might break down again.

"Certainly the competition will be healthy for both Michel and Ben.

"At this moment in time if you asked me who was going to be my No. 1 choice I wouldn't know.

"It's down to who shows up the best in the next couple of weeks."

Fulham have taken Beasant on trial for their tour of Austria.

The 44-year-old keeper rejected a new deal at Albion after spending the second half of the season in the first team while Kuipers was sidelined.

Beasant's lawyer Tim Bailey said: "Dave has travelled to Austria and Fulham want to take a look at him during games out there.

"Dave still believes he has something to offer and can play in the Premiership."

Albion triallist Gaetano Giallianza, a Swiss-born striker, will make his debut at Woking.

The former Norwich, Servette and Nantes player started training with the Seagulls on Monday.

He has been out of football for a year since being released by Norwich after he had recovered from a knee ligament injury.

Paul Watson, who missed the trip to Crawley last Saturday because of a knock, is expected to be fit.

Woking may include former Arsenal midfielder Ian Selley, who is on trial with the club.