Albion boss Steve Coppell is poised to plunge former Premiership pair Paul Kitson and Dean Blackwell into the relegation dogfight sooner rather than later.

Both made their comebacks from long-term injury in Monday's 2-1 Sussex Senior Cup win at East Preston.

Former West Ham marksman Kitson has returned to the squad recently as an unused sub following back surgery.

He has not tasted first team action since the last of his four senior appearances for the club against Gillingham at Withdean on September 14.

Ex-Wimbledon centre half Blackwell has not featured since suffering hamstring damage at Preston on November 23.

Coppell said: "With Kits, given his pedigree and what he is capable of, there doesn't seem much point in keeping him in reserve.

"If he is capable of playing at the top level, as we all know he is, then I will probably look to move him back in fairly quickly and similarly with Dean.

"Kits just needs games. It's been four months since he played and he's only played four games for us, so it's a lot to make up.

"But he is the type that can score you a goal from next to nothing and I really can't ignore that kind of thing at the moment."

The chances of Kitson starting and Blackwell returning to the squad for Saturday's trip to Coventry have been hampered by the weather.

They were due for another run-out in the reserves against Luton in the Combination League at Worthing tonight, despite Kitson suffering sore ribs and Blackwell reporting stiffness after Monday's exertions.

That match has already been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Woodside Road.

"If it had been on they would both have played because they need games," Coppell said. "Two in three days would have been a good test. As it is now we are just grateful to have got one game into them."

Kitson, 32 tomorrow and signed by former manager Martin Hinshelwood, will almost be like a new signing for Coppell as Albion fight for First Division survival.

"His track record hasn't been one of consistently playing 30 odd games a season, so fingers crossed that he stays fit," Coppell added.

"Realistically it's going to be hard for him to take part every week for the next four months, but that has got to be his desire."

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