Albion are sweating on the fitness of Michel Kuipers for tonight's FA Cup clash against Preston at Withdean.

The Seagulls will make a late decision on their big Dutch goalkeeper. If he is unfit then Will Packham, 21 last Sunday, will be awarded a belated birthday present of a full debut.

Kuipers has missed the last three matches with a pulled thigh muscle sustained in the closing stages of the pre-Christmas draw with Chesterfield.

Simon Royce has taken his place on loan from Leicester, but Royce has been FA Cup tied by the Premiership's bottom club.

Kuipers had a fitness test before Saturday's 3-0 League defeat at Wigan and he came through training yesterday.

Boss Peter Taylor said: "We are confident Michel is going to be fit. He has not done too much kicking yet and that is the only thing we have got to look at, so it's a late decision.

"If not it will be Will Packham, which will be good because it will give me a chance to have a look at him."

Packham's only previous first team experience was as a late substitute for Kuipers in the penultimate match last season at Halifax, 48 hours after Albion clinched the Third Division title.

The Wigan setback ended the Seagulls' 11-match unbeaten League run under Taylor, but he said: "I don't foresee a load of changes from Saturday.

"That was our first defeat for a while and I think the players would like to put that right. We had a bright and positive morning yesterday and they are hurt. They want to bounce back.

"But people have got to realise that Preston were nearly in the Premiership this year and they are having a very good time in the First Division this season. They are a couple of places out of the play-offs again, so it's a tough match."

Preston's line-up hinges on the fitness of recent absentees Sean Gregan, their skipper, and forward Richard Cresswell. North End assistant Kelham O'Hanlon said: "We know it's a difficult place to go to and the magic of the FA Cup will ensure a very close game."

The winners are at home to Sheffield United in round four on January 26, assuming a replay is not required at Deepdale on that date.

Junior Lewis, bound for Albion on a three-month loan from Leicester, could be available as early as Saturday's visit of lowly Cambridge United.

Taylor said: "If I do it this Friday his loan would then run out at the end of the season. If I wait until February 8 then it will take into account the play-offs."

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