Defender faces race to be fit

Last updated : 24 October 2005 By Andy Parsons

The Irish defender took a heavy knock against Watford on Tuesday and limped off but Paul Sturrock is confident his star stopper will be fit to face Albion.

Looking ahead to the game, Coughlan knows how important three points will be for Wednesday - but ideally he would have liked to have been going into the game with a victory behind them.

He told Footymad: "I thought it was imperative that we got three points against Watford, especially at home but I will agree with what you are saying that the Brighton game is a massive game as well.

"There’s two tiers in this league and the manager spoke to us before that we have to beat the twelve teams who are in and around you."

David Graham could miss out after suffering a calf injury in the challenge from Ben Foster which should have seen the young goalkeeper sent off early on against The Hornets - he too faces a late fitness test.