Albion are hoping to solve both a left-back and centre-half injury crisis by borrowing Liam Ridgewell.

The versatile former Premier League defender has been targeted by the Seagulls in a loan swoop from MLS side Portland Timbers.

The Argus revealed last week Albion’s intention to sign a left-back in the January transfer window, with long-term injury victims Gaetan Bong (thigh) and Liam Rosenior (knee) ruled out until the beginning and end of February respectively.

They also need centre-half cover after captain Gordon Greer (hamstring) joined Uwe Huenemeier (groin) on the sidelines in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Brentford.

Ridgewell, with more than 300 Premier League and Championship starts behind him for Aston Villa, Birmingham, West Brom and Wigan, fits the bill on both counts.

Albion boss Chris Hughton is familiar with the dependable 31-year-old from their time together at Birmingham.

The Seagulls are keen to replicate his loan stint with Wigan last winter during the off-season in MLS, which resumes in March.

Ridgewell has been a big hit with Portland since joining them from West Brom in June 2014.

The ex-England under-21 international helped the north-west American franchise, founded in 2009, to their first title this season with victory over Columbus Crew in the MLS Cup final.

Meanwhile, Connor Goldson is poised to make his full debut as Greer’s deputy at home to Ipswich tomorrow night alongside Lewis Dunk.

Hughton said: “We hope we don’t have a problem with Gordon. He is just feeling his hamstring. We hope it’s fatigue, because we’ve had a lot of players that have had to play a lot of games.”