Dean Wilkins is closing in on a new goalkeeper for his Albion first-team squad.
The Seagulls manager is poised to make a move after consulting with Paul Crichton, the club's new goalkeeping coach.
A need for extra manpower between the sticks was emphasised when John Sullivan, currently No. 2 in the pecking order, pulled out of Saturday's 0-0 friendly draw at Billericay just before kick-off.
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Teenager Chris Winterton, who will be loaned to Burgess Hill in the new season, played the full game and did a sound job without being seriously tested.
Wilkins has always maintained his new keeping coach would have a say in who was brought in to offer competition to Michel Kuipers.
The Albion boss had a discussion on the subject with Crichton on the Billericay pitch immediately after the game.
Crichton, 38, turned out for Cambridge United in the Conference last season but insists his playing days are over, though he filled in as unused substitute on Saturday.
Wilkins said: "John has a little bit of a problem with his groin.
"In the warm-up he felt it on kicking so rather than risk it we put Chris in goal and I thought he did very well."
Wilkins has allayed any fears over the fitness of Adam Hinshelwood and Paul Reid as they recover from long-term knee problems.
Hinshelwood has not yet played in pre-season while Reid totalled 65 minutes in the first two friendlies and has not featured since.
The pair have reported irritation and inflammation but Wilkins said: "It is nothing to do with the structure of the knee and nothing major."
Albion are in the north west today to start their four-day training camp at an unspecified venue.
The Seagulls manager is poised to make a move after consulting with Paul Crichton, the club's new goalkeeping coach.
A need for extra manpower between the sticks was emphasised when John Sullivan, currently No. 2 in the pecking order, pulled out of Saturday's 0-0 friendly draw at Billericay just before kick-off.
advertisement
Teenager Chris Winterton, who will be loaned to Burgess Hill in the new season, played the full game and did a sound job without being seriously tested.
Wilkins has always maintained his new keeping coach would have a say in who was brought in to offer competition to Michel Kuipers.
The Albion boss had a discussion on the subject with Crichton on the Billericay pitch immediately after the game.
Crichton, 38, turned out for Cambridge United in the Conference last season but insists his playing days are over, though he filled in as unused substitute on Saturday.
Wilkins said: "John has a little bit of a problem with his groin.
"In the warm-up he felt it on kicking so rather than risk it we put Chris in goal and I thought he did very well."
Wilkins has allayed any fears over the fitness of Adam Hinshelwood and Paul Reid as they recover from long-term knee problems.
Hinshelwood has not yet played in pre-season while Reid totalled 65 minutes in the first two friendlies and has not featured since.
The pair have reported irritation and inflammation but Wilkins said: "It is nothing to do with the structure of the knee and nothing major."
Albion are in the north west today to start their four-day training camp at an unspecified venue.
