ALBION have been plunged into a full-back crisis ahead of their longest journey of the season.

Andrew Whing joined Jake Wright and Jim McNulty on the casualty list in Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Wycombe Wanderers.

Whing limped away from Withdean with a dead leg accidentally inflicted by skipper Adam Virgo’s knee as they charged down a free-kick at the end of the first half.

Virgo had to switch to right-back for the second half and Whing now faces a race to be fit for Saturday’s trek to Carlisle.

Adam El-Abd is already playing out of position on the other side of the defence in the absence of Wright (hamstring) and McNulty (ankle).

Manager Russell Slade said: “We are hoping that Wright and McNulty will start to play in the middle of the week. We need a fullback fit if we can.

“That’s the one area where pre-season I didn’t think I was going to have too many problems and here I am having all my problems at the back in terms of form and players being fit and available.

“You need your back four to be consistent and reliable.

.

Unfortunately, we haven’t had that, although we have been a little bit more reliable in the last two games."

The fullback shortage could affect whether Wright and McNulty make their comebacks in the reserves against Gillingham at Lancing on Wednesday night.

“We’ll have to be careful,” said Slade. “It might be that one of them gets a little bit of football. I will go on Jim's say-so (physio Jim Joyce).”

Slade’s 12th signing, on-loan Nottingham Forest midfielder Arron Davies, made an encouraging debut against Wycombe as Albion ended their wait for a win with Nicky Forster's third goal in as many games 15 minutes from time.

The loan transfer window opens tomorrow and Slade said: “We’ll have to see where we are.

“I thought we had a very strong bench on paper, probably one of the strongest since I’ve been here, and it can get stronger. The likes of Smith (Jamie) and Hawkins (Colin) didn’t even make the 18.”

Four of Albion’s next six matches are away, including Leyton Orient at Brisbane Road in the second round of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in the week commencing October 5.