Liam Bridcutt has been earmarked for a possible comeback from injury for Albion against Blackburn Rovers at The Amex next Saturday.

The defensive midfielder is yet to resume full training but he is heading the queue of the Seagulls’ long-term injured for a return to action.

Bridcutt worked with the rest of the squad on Thursday for the first timne since suffering his injury problems. Head coach Oscar Garcia confirmed to The Argus: “He is the closest player to be available for selection but not for this weekend.

“Hopefully for the next game someone will be able to play.

"He lacks match fitness, because he has spent a lot of time injured. We hope we will have one player at least for next week."

Hernia surgery and a recurrence of pubic bone discomfort have sidelined Bridcutt since Albion's first home game of the season against Newport County in the Capital One Cup in August.

The Seagulls have no immediate plans to loan out Lewis Dunk again after their fourth choice centre-half returned from a month with Bristol City nursing a knee knock.

Oscar said: I hope he will be able to take part in training next week.

“The loan is finished and I like to have four centre-backs here. At this moment he is a Brighton player."