Albion are eyeing FA Cup action – after their European hopes were given a minor boost.

Premier League rivals Fulham and Liverpool both dropped points with disappointing draws over the weekend while Chelsea failed to make up any ground in defeat at Tottenham.

The Seagulls, sidelined while their scheduled opponents Newcastle suffered Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United, drop to eighth but with games in hand.

Roberto De Zerbi will speak to the media today ahead of the cup fifth-round trip to Stoke City tomorrow.

The Potters went down 1-0 at home to Millwall in the Championship on Saturday and will be without first choice goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who played for his parent club Wolves at Liverpool in the third round before going out on loan.

But Stoke have a minor selection boost outfield where, under FA Cup rules, they can use all six of their other loanees if they wish.

Ki-Jana Hoever and Axel Tuanzebe had to watch from the stands against Millwall due to the limit of five loan players in Championship games.

Albion’s under-21s visit West Ham at Rush Green in Premier League 2 this evening (7pm).