Albion boss Peter Taylor clinched the signing of Junior Lewis for the third time last night, then rounded on critics of the player.

The versatile 28-year-old has joined the Seagulls' promotion challenge on a three-month loan from Leicester.

He goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's trip to Oldham, although Taylor said: "He probably won't start."

Lewis has been out-of-favour at Filbert Street since Taylor was sacked and Dave Bassett and former Albion boss Micky Adams took charge.

"He has taken a lot of stick, which isn't fair at all," Taylor said. "He has been mentioned in the papers as a nightmare signing, but people forget he only cost £50,000 and I think he could still do a job for Leicester now."

The capture of Lewis ends an on-off saga dating back to Christmas, when Taylor's interest in a player he previously signed for Gillingham and Leicester and inherited at Dover first became public knowledge.

By delaying his arrival until now Taylor has ensured he will be available through to the Division Two play-off final on May 11.

His signing was thrown into doubt by an injury crisis at Leicester. Lewis has been an unused sub in their last three games, but The Argus revealed yesterday that Taylor had resurrected the deal.

"The timing of it has worked well and results have not suffered too much," Taylor said. "I'm very pleased with it. Junior can play in almost any position and that is why I have been patient. It's like signing three players.

"In the play-off final at Gillingham he played all over the place, in midfield, at leftback and in the end on the left wing.

"My mind changed about his best position at Leicester when he played at the back and looked the most comfortable."

Taylor believes Albion's challenge will benefit from the experience Lewis gained in Gillingham's successful Second Division promotion run-in two seasons ago.

Taylor has happy memories of Oldham. He spent four games on loan there from Leyton Orient during his playing days and on his last visit as a manager two years ago Gillingham won 3-1 on their way to promotion via the play-offs. Taylor also launched his Albion reign with a 3-0 win over the Latics at Withdean in October .

Danny Cullip makes his 100th League appearance for the club in the centre of defence as the Seagulls try to keep the pressure on leaders Reading with a fifth win out of six.