Albion are sweating on the availability of Robbie Pethick for a landmark appearance at Bradford on Saturday.

His 50th League game for the Seagulls is under threat from a recurrence of back trouble.

Pethick pulled out of training on Monday. Boss Steve Coppell said: "His back is in spasm, but we are hoping he will be all right.

"It has happened to him before and it lasted a couple of days then, so I am keeping my fingers crossed."

Pethick has been ever-present as a third centre half since making his comeback from a foot injury at Wolves in November.

The 32-year-old former Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers defender is better known as a rightback, but Coppell is pleased with the way he has been performing.

"Robbie has done very well," said Coppell. "He has a great range of passing coming out from the back, so he is not just a defender.

"He has occasional lapses in concentration, but he jumps above his size and has decent pace as well, so he's got an awful lot going for him."

Coppell has a ready made replacement if Pethick fails to make the trip to Valley Parade.

New loan signing Ivar Ingimarsson has been playing in midfield for Wolves this season, but the versatile Icelandic international operated in the centre of defence under Coppell at Brentford last term.

"It's nice to have options and not be living on a knife-edge," Coppell said. "You are forever thinking sometimes if a certain player gets injured what are we going to do?"

Nathan Jones is rated doubtful for the visit to the form team of the First Division. The Welshman missed last Saturday's 4-1 home win against Wolves with an ankle injury.

Strike pair Bobby Zamora and Graham Barrett are expected back for training today after playing for England and Republic of Ireland under-21's on Tuesday.

Gary Hart is poised to partner Zamora again at Bradford, with Barrett on the bench for the third match running.

Albion have been sent an initial allocation of just over 850 seats for the match against promotion-chasing Sheffield United at Bramall Lane on Tuesday March 18.

More from the camp at thisisthealbion.co.uk