Brighton centre-half Joel Lynch has emerged as an injury doubt ahead of his play-off-chasing side's trip to Roots Hall to take on Southend.Lynch suffered a knee problem during Saturday's 3-2 defeat by Port Vale and is rated "touch and go" by boss Dean Wilkins.

His absence could leave Wilkins with a defensive headache as the obvious replacement, veteran Guy Butters, was unavailable for the Vale game due to an illness.

Fellow defenders Matt Richards (hamstring), Adam El-Abd and Adam Hinshelwood (both knee) are also sidelined along with utility man Gary Hart, who could miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury playing for the reserves last week.

The defeat by Vale left Brighton four points behind Leeds in the final play-off place.

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