Albion boss Steve Coppell is "bemused" by the absence of a scout at the club.

Coppell and his backroom team are working hard to improve the Seagulls' relegation-threatened squad but he believes an extra pair of hands with a specific role for player spotting would be a big help.

"We have got to improve every area of the team," he said. "I am concerned about every area but at this time of year there haven't been any reserve games, so you don't get out and about much.

"I am forever on the phone and my staff are to their contacts. Siddy (Steve Sidwell) has done really well for us, but I knew him.

"We don't have a scout here, which I am quite bemused by. If anyone needs a scout being stuck out where we are it's Brighton. We all have our contacts but they are all limited.

"To have a scout out and about six or seven days a week, watching games, making the contacts, making contact even with other scouts, then you have got more of an index of players to focus on.

"It has been mentioned but at the moment we have got 20 games left. Whatever happens, the end of this season will be a watershed.

"By then we will know if there is going to be a new stadium, what division we are in and what income levels we are going to be dealing with next year. I am sure then there will be some significant decisions made as to the future."

Simon Rodger should be fit to return to midfield for Saturday's game at Coventry after suffering further damage to his broken big left toe.

His deputy Charlie Oatway is suspended for the trip to Highfield Road.

Long-term injury victims Dean Blackwell and Paul Kitson are in line for some much needed match practice this week, with the reserves in action tonight at East Preston in the Sussex Senior Cup and on Wednesday against Luton in the Combination League at Worthing.

Centre half Blackwell has been out since a recurrence of hamstring trouble at Preston in November.

Striker Kitson has been on the bench recently following back surgery which has restricted him to four starts, the last of them against Gillingham in September.

Gary Hart was ruled out of Saturday's postponed FA Cup third round tie at Norwich by a stomach upset.

More Seagulls stuff at thisisthealbion.co.uk