CHERRIES are likely to face keeper Ali Al-Habsi tomorrow after the Wigan stopper completed a month-long loan switch to Brighton.

The Oman international will provide cover while regular number one David Stockdale is sidelined and will go straight into the squad for the clash at Dean Court (5.15pm).

Stockdale broke his finger in a freak training ground accident and England under-20 international Christian Walton took his place in Wednesday’s 2-0 League Cup loss at Tottenham.

However, Seagulls boss Sami Hyypiä was keen to select a more experienced head between the sticks and 32-year-old Al-Habsi fitted the bill.

Hyypiä told The Argus: “In training, David saved a shot and it bounced from the post against the end of his finger. You never know when these things will happen and you can’t do much to prevent them.

“That’s part of the business and you need to be able to cope with the situation. David said he would still like to play but there is too big a risk that it will be worse and then if he needs an operation we will miss him for three months. We can’t take that kind of risk.

“He doesn’t need an operation but the fracture is there so we decided to have a look if we could get somebody in while he is injured. Ali was available and I decided to take a good, experienced keeper for the time being.”

Meanwhile, Albion’s first choice right-back Bruno (groin) has been ruled out of tomorrow's fixture.

  • Tickets for the League Cup quarter-final clash with Liverpool will go on sale to season ticket holders on Wednesday (9am). Unclaimed seats will then go on general sale from Saturday, November 22.