Brighton and Hove Albion could roll goalie Simon Royce's loan spell from Leicester into a second month, says boss Peter Taylor.

Royce's stint with the Seagulls is due to finish after next Thursday's trip to promotion rivals Brentford.

But Taylor is keen to retain the keeper, with doubts still surrounding the fitness of regular No.1 Michel Kuipers.

Taylor revealed his plans as Royce prepares for his first Withdean appearance against next-to-bottom Cambridge United tomorrow.

The former Charlton shot-stopper has been training and receiving treatment at Leicester since bruising his left foot in last Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Wigan.

Taylor said: "I am considering extending his loan for a second month. That is what I would like to do, but I have to talk to him first.

"It is going to be uncomfortable for him kicking, but he will be fit. I'm pleased he can play in front of our crowd. A lot of them haven't seen him play and he has done ever so well since he has been here."

Kuipers saw a specialist yesterday in a bid to establish whether a back problem is related to the thigh muscle he pulled before Christmas.

It sidelined him from Tuesday's FA Cup exit against Preston, when Royce was unavailable and rookie Will Packham gifted the visitors their clinching second goal.

Albion are desperate to put their promotion challenge back on course tomorrow against the team with the worst away record in the country after five points from a possible 21.

Stopper Simon Morgan said: "It's a massive game for us, our most important of the season by a mile. If we don't get a win people will start panicking."

Captain Charlie Oatway has recovered from a couple of knocks against Preston and Paul Rogers is available again following a two-match ban, but new midfield signing David Lee from Hull will not be involved.

Taylor said: "I am delighted with the bit of business we have done, but he still needs a bit more match practise. There is another reserve game for him next week.

"We are still in an excellent position in the League, but we need to bounce back. We could do with some really loud vocal support from everybody to frighten the life out of Cambridge.

"I've told the players not to take the two defeats too personally. Wigan should be a lot higher in the League than they are, so to lose to them and to Preston was not a disgrace.

"They are still the same players they were two weeks ago and I have got every faith in them."

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