Wayne Henderson has vowed to be fit for Albion's most significant game of the season against relegation rivals Leicester at Withdean on Saturday.

The keeper hurt his left hip trying to keep out the first of two Dennis Wise goals in Saturday's unfortunate 2-0 defeat for the Seagulls at Coventry.

Henderson hobbled through the second half after taking painkillers but he insisted: "I'll definitely be all right. It's a game too big for me to miss.

"When the first goal went in I dived after it and landed on a nerve in my hip. My whole leg went dead, which wasn't very nice, but I had some tablets at halftime and got through the game, so I should be fine for Saturday.

"The pain was pretty bad but I was lucky enough to make a couple of saves in the second half. It was the same old story for us, just that little bit of quality we need in front of goal."

Albion dominated until Wise headed Coventry into the lead just before the break and added a second midway through the second half.

Manager Mark McGhee preferred to concentrate on Henderson's performance than the absence from the squad of Michel Kuipers. The Dutchman was left out because of his angry reaction to being replaced by Henderson in last Tuesday's goalless home draw against Burnley.

"I thought Wayne was outstanding," McGhee said. "He played the second half with an injury and still made some really crucial blocks which kept us in with a chance."

Leicester's 1-0 home victory over Wolves means they are three points above Albion with a much better goal difference.

McGhee, hoping to complete the loan signing this week of prolific young Spurs reserve striker Lee Barnard, said: "It's not over by a long way. We have proved recently that we can win games and take points and we are hard to beat.

"If Leicester beat us that will be three in a row for them and will contribute to them getting out of trouble. If we beat them it will bring them back into it."