Paul Watson has shaken off a new injury setback and is fit for Albion's first friendly against Worthing at Woodside Road tonight (7.30).

The Albion right-back was restricted to just 17 appearances last season by foot and groin problems and his opportunities were further limited as Adam Virgo emerged to dominate the position.

A sore knee after a practice match on Saturday made him doubtful for tonight's game.

Watson said: "The match was for three lots of 20 minutes and at the end of the second game I felt something in a knee.

"I was able to play on, completed the third 20 minutes and it was all right.

"But when I got home, my left knee blew up like a football.

"The last thing I need after the season I've just had is another injury so it is a relief that it is nothing serious.

"I am back in training and available for the Worthing match."

Midfielder Paul Reid, who has just signed a one-year deal, is doubtful with a thigh strain.

Manager Mark McGhee is unable to play the three strikers he has on trial because clearance has not come through in time.

He said: "We've applied for permission and will hopefully be able to play them in the friendlies at Woking on Friday and Crawley on Saturday."

McGhee has put his search for strikers on hold until he has a good look at the trialists.

A frontman is his priority for the opening Division One match of the season at Reading on August 7 because Chris Iwelumo has signed for German club Alemannia Aachen, Leon Knight is suspended and Chris McPhee is recovering from a fractured left foot.

McGhee said: "We'll look at the trialists in a match situation first."

McGhee pushed his players through two sessions yesterday and another one this morning.

He said: "They did an amazingly hard session yesterday morning and will continue to train today."

Worthing include five new faces and two former Albion players in their squad for tonight's game.

Paul Rogers, who skippered Albion to two championships, will take his place in midfield while former Seagull Will Packham plays in goal.

New signings Marc Pullan (Crawley), Phil Ruggles (Leatherhead) and Ronan Callaghan (Burgess Hill) plus trialists Phil Parsons (Woking) and Kevin Townsend (Whitehawk) are in an initial 21-man squad which will be trimmed to 17 later today.

Manager Alan Pook said: "It is a privilege to be playing this newly promoted Brighton side and we will give them the strongest workout we can."

Rogers has been playing a big part in pre-season training at Worthing and Pook would like him to take on a player-coach role.

The Rebels have cancelled a training camp in Spain in order to step up their preparations for the new Isthmian premier division campaign. Instead, a friendly at home to Nuneaton Borough has been arranged for Saturday.

Worthing (from): Packham, Davies, Dicker, Pullan, Lamont, Hill, Rogers, Grice, Ekoku, Knee, Pulling, Holmes, Ruggles, Francis, Guile, Lutwyche, Callaghan, Parsons, Townsend, Alexander, Beech.