Coppell fears losing Sidwell

Coppell is worried the midfielder he had on loan at Brentford last season and now again from Arsenal will be sold by the Gunners.

Sidwell, the matchwinner at Norwich on Boxing Day, struck after 88 and 89 minutes to salvage a 2-2 draw for the Seagulls against Burnley at Withdean on Saturday.

Coppell said: "He really is a good player. He's got a massive engine.

"He is bigger and more mobile than he was last year and he just makes non-stop runs into the box.

"We may have a problem with the transfer window coming up because, although he is on loan to us supposedly to the end of the season, if somebody comes in and tries to buy him we can't stop it.

"I know one club who are after him."

The club concerned is understood to be Stoke, one of Albion's relegation rivals.

Sidwell said: "It's very hard. This is the last year of my contract at Arsenal and if they don't want to renew it then other clubs are going to be looking to come in and take me.

"If someone does come in between now and the end of the season with a bid and Arsenal accept it then there is not really a lot I can do.

"I'd love to stay here at Albion and play for them. It's a great team and great club, but that situation is out of my hands.

"At the end of the day you have got to look after yourself. A footballer's career is only short, so I will be looking at all options."

Sidwell's late double cancelled out goals by Glen Little (44) and sub Ian Moore (71) for Burnley.

"When their second goal went in we still had that little bit of belief," added the 20-year-old. "Maybe if there had been a little longer to go we could have won it, but we'll settle for a draw.

"It's been a great Christmas, not just for me but for the club. We are picking up points in a really hard period and now we are looking forward to the Wimbledon game and three points against them as well."

Adam Virgo's loan spell with Third Division strugglers Exeter has been extended to a second month.

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