Albion expect to clinch the capture of Matthew Wicks this week.

The young central defender's loan move from Peterborough should become permanent before Saturday's home game against Scunthorpe.

Wicks, suffering from a heavy cold, was not in the Peterborough squad for yesterday's 2-0 home win against Brian Horton's Port Vale.

Boss Barry Fry has just signed Dave Rogers, another left sided centre back, from Ayr on a three-month loan and he has been given Wicks' squad number.

Fry is also interested in signing Southend centre half Leo Roget.

Wicks scored again on the last appearance of his month on loan to third-placed Albion in Friday night's 2-0 win at Hull.

The stumbling block to a permanent switch is the £50,000 package Peterborough are asking for the former Arsenal and Manchester United schoolboy.

The Second Division club are believed to be demanding a £25,000 downpayment plus a further £25,000 if the Seagulls win promotion.

Meanwhile, Albion manager Micky Adams has told Lee Steele he must wait for his chance.

Steele has still not started a first team match following his summer move from Shrewsbury.

The striker was brought on for the third time in four games in Friday night's win at Hull.

He has scored five goals in the last three reserve outings since recovering from an ankle injury sustained as a second half substitute on the opening day of the season at Southend.

But Adams is reluctant to tamper with a team in such a rich vein of form.

He said: "The problem I've got at the moment is keeping the lads happy that aren't involved.

"All the while we are getting wins they have to accept it. I've had chats with Lee Steele over the last two weeks.

"I wouldn't expect anyone to be happy in the reserves, but while the first team are performing you have got to be ready for action."