Albion have put every member of the first team squad on alert for the hectic climax to their Championship challenge.

The Seagulls’ bid to grab a play-off spot will be determined by 14 games in 56 days, starting with tomorrow’s visit by fellow chasers Reading.

Kazenga LuaLua and Jonathan Obika did not make the squad for last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Millwall but the strength in depth of Oscar Garcia’s squad will be tested by the punishing schedule.

Oscar’s assistant Nathan Jones told The Argus: “Everyone will play a part. That’s the trouble, people want to play all the time. It’s keeping everyone happy.

“We need all our players because we’ve got 14 games. We won’t play with the same team all the time – I think only Burnley do that in our league. It’s important everyone is ready. It’s a squad game now, not your best eleven and that’s it. We freshen up.”

Competition on the wings has been increased by the capture of Jesse Lingard, who makes his home debut against Reading.

Jones said: “We’ve got good variation in wide areas, Jesse, Kazenga, Buckley, Solly March, David Lopez who is a different type of player. We have to make sure we turn up and are right at it. You need those type of players to win games.

“We don’t want to put too much pressure on Jesse’s young shoulders. We know what he can do. As long as he plays his normal game and does what he did when he has been on loan and with Man United, he will be fine.”