Paul Watson is in danger of missing successive League matches for Albion for the first time in four years.

The Seagulls' Mister Consistency faces a fight to return to the team for Saturday's visit to Plymouth.

Watson missed Monday's 2-0 home win against Luton with sore foot arches.

The rightback had a scan yesterday in a bid to discover the cause of the problem, which has hampered him since pre-season.

Boss Steve Coppell said: "He wasn't close to playing on Monday. Watto needs to be at his best physically and when he is not he probably feels it more than most, because he is such a good trainer and such a fit bloke normally."

Watson has not missed two League games in a row since joining Albion for the 1999-2000 season.

The 28-year-old from Hastings was ever present when they won the Third Division, sat out just one match in the Division Two title triumph and one again as the Seagulls were relegated last term.

Coppell fears the unusually dry summer has contributed to Albion's early injury list.

"We've got a lot of players who are feeling aches and pains," he said.

"They only water one pitch at the Falmer training ground and we train all over and run all over. That makes a difference.

"Charlie Oatway has got a foot problem, which we again think might just be hard grounds."

Captain Danny Cullip (hamstring) and midfielder Simon Rodger (groin) both missed the Luton match.

Coppell said: "It's a day by day thing with Danny. He could be very close for Saturday but you get into that scenario of do we risk it? We've still got Thursday to make a real decision.

"Jolly's problem might be a little bit related to his back. He's got a good chance for Saturday."

Leon Knight has been given the all-clear following some rough treatment from the Luton defenders.

An X-ray revealed Albion's leading marksman has not fractured a hand bone.

Bristol City, considered one of the favourites for automatic promotion, lost 2-1 at Colchester last night, Scott McGleish netting twice.