Albion chief Steve Coppell wants to fire up the First Division survival bid right through to May with a two Gunner assault.

He intends to keep both Steve Sidwell and Graham Barrett on loan from Arsenal for the rest of the season.

England under-20 midfielder Sidwell earned Albion a point at Preston on Saturday with his first goal since signing on a month's contract.

Coppell said: "I would be very hopeful of certainly extending his loan by at least one more month and hopefully the season, but it's not just about us.

"It's about him as well. It could well be that he does enough here to push himself back in the picture, then we wouldn't be in control of that situation."

Sidwell, who spent the whole of last season on loan with Coppell's Brentford, said: "If Brighton want me to stay then I will be happy to stay for as long as possible.

"Hopefully we'll come to an agreement. All I want to do is play first team football. I've played reserve team football for three or four years at Arsenal now.

"It would be nice to score a few more goals and get noticed by other clubs just in case things don't work out at Arsenal."

Coppell has already lined up the retention of striker Barrett, whose three-month loan expires after Saturday's visit by Reading.

"I've spoken with Liam Brady and from what I am aware Arsenal are comfortable with extending it," Coppell confirmed.

Coppell has already secured the services of Simon Rodger and Dean Blackwell for the rest of the season.

All the latest from the camp at thisisthealbion.co.uk