Hull midfielder David Lee is due to become an Albion player today, with Matthew Wicks going in the opposite direction.

Boss Peter Taylor expects the free transfer swap to be wrapped up before the promotion-seeking Seagulls set off for tomorrow's tough trip to mid-table Wigan.

The deal, first revealed on Wednesday, received the green light when unsettled Wicks agreed to a move north.

He could make his debut for the Tigers at Plymouth tomorrow.

Lee was having a medical this morning following talks yesterday involving his agent and Taylor.

Albion are taking over his contract, which still has two seasons to run.

The 21-year-old former Southend regular will have to wait to force his way into first team contention.

He will not be involved tomorrow and is ineligible for next Tuesday's home FA Cup tie against Preston.

Taylor regards the ex-Spurs trainee as a bright prospect.

"My friends at Tottenham kept me informed about him and I had him training with us at Gillingham," Taylor revealed.

"I would have signed him if I had stayed there instead of going to Leicester. He could become an exceptional player and since Gary Hart has been injured we have struggled for another wide right player."

Taylor's rebuilding of the squad on the fringes continues to gather pace.

Midfielder Geoff Pitcher has been made available for loan and German striker Dirk Lehmann could be on his way to Motherwell.

"Geoff does not figure in my plans at the moment and he needs to play," Taylor said.

"Dirk Lehmann was going to go on the transfer list, but that may not be necessary."

Andy Crosby has already departed to Oxford, Lee's former Southend colleague Daniel Webb has joined the Seagulls from Southend and a loan move for Leicester's Junior Lewis remains in the pipeline.

Hart and Kerry Mayo are both expected to return to the starting line-up at the JJB Stadium tomorrow after missing the last three matches through injury.

Paul Rogers starts a two-match suspension against his old club and he knows his team-mates have their work cut out in the clash between the two current draw specialists.

"I am very surprised by Wigan's position, especially with the resources and players they have got," Rogers said.

"I definitely think they will be in the play-offs again by the end of the season once the new players settle down and gel.

"A draw would be a good result for us, but we've had a spell where we have drawn too many games so it's important we get a victory."

Second-placed Reading are at Huddersfield tomorrow. Leaders Stoke and Bristol City, in third, play on Sunday at Northampton and Swindon respectively.

Rookie keeper Will Packham is on standby for his full debut in the third round FA Cup tie against Preston at Withdean. Pulled thigh muscle victim Michel Kuipers has suffered a setback in training.

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