Jason Dodd today admitted he faces a real battle to win his first team place back after recovering from a long-term ankle injury.

Dodd has declared himself fit for Saturday's visit of Ipswich Town to Withdean after playing his first game for seven weeks in the reserves on Tuesday.

The former Southampton defender came through the 5-2 win over QPR unscathed but accepts he will not be able to walk straight back into an Albion side which has collected four points from the last two games.

Dodd has not played since limping out of the goalless draw with Preston on August 27 and undergoing keyhole surgery on his left ankle to remove a piece of loose bone the size of a lump of sugar.

"It was great to get a game under my belt," he said. "I tired in the last half hour but that is only to be expected because I have been out for so long.

"I got a little kick on the ankle which has made it a bit sore but I probably needed that to test it out. I had treatment on it again yesterday morning and it's fine so I'll be available for Saturday.

"I'm not expecting to start, though, because the lads have been doing so well recently and deserve to keep their places. Being injured has been very frustrating as you always want to make an impression at a new club but I would be stupid to rush back.

"Luckily we are not struggling so the manager doesn't need to risk me straight away which will give me the chance to concentrate on getting back to my best."

Argentinian striker Federico Turienzo will also be pushing for a place in the squad for the visit of Ipswich after scoring a hat-trick for the reserves on Tuesday.

Dodd believes the extra options available to manager Mark McGhee could help Albion end their miserable run of form in front of their home fans.

"Quite a few of the lads will be hoping they have put themselves in contention for Saturday with the way they played on Monday," said Dodd. "That should give the manager a bit of a selection headache but it is a good problem to have.

"The players who have the shirts at the moment deserve to keep them because of the last couple of games but they know they will have to perform again on Saturday or there are others waiting to replace them.

"We have proved that we are very hard to beat away from home but now we have got to transform that form to Withdean for the two home games coming up."