Dan Harding has been earmarked for his full home debut for Albion against Bournemouth at Withdean on Saturday.

Manager Mark McGhee today revealed Harding is almost certain to replace the suspended Kerry Mayo at leftback.

Mayo's ever-present record this season has been wrecked by a one-match ban for accumulating five bookings.

His place will be taken by Harding or Paul Watson, who is struggling to recover from a recurrence of groin trouble.

McGhee said: "The obvious choice is probably Dan Harding. If Watto was fit we might risk him there, but Dan is likely to come in.

"I don't really see any other option, so Dan will get his opportunity. He has been bubbling under the surface, close to selection, and this is a chance for him."

Harding made the last of his three starts at QPR in the LDV Vans Trophy in December.

The 20-year-old from Gloucester had previously featured in the League games at Plymouth in August and Colchester in September.

Harding could join fellow youth products Jake Robinson, Adam Virgo and Adam El-Abd in the team against Bournemouth.

Robinson, like Harding, is poised for his full home debut.

McGhee is also hopeful Ben Roberts (shin) and John Piercy (ankle) will be fit for selection.

"John, Ben and Watto are getting very close and we hope they will be training by the end of the week," he said.

"I think Ben and John will have a chance. Watto is less likely."

Michel Kuipers (knee) will not be in contention but Dean Blackwell continues to make encouraging progress.

The central defender, sidelined since pre-season by cruciate knee ligament damage, is on course to resume full training next week.

Young striker Dan Marney is wanted on loan by a Conference club.