The Seagulls have confirmed they are bringing back Igor Julio early from his season-long loan at West Ham after he struggled for playing time.
Igor’s early-season Carabao Cup outing at Oxford severely limited chances of him going out on loan to another club for the coming months.
But it does open the option of him providing defensive back-up and competition if, as seems highly likely, Coppola is granted his wish of a loan move.
Coppola has spoken in diplomatic but strong terms about his disappointment at a lack of opportunity with the Seagulls since taking the big decision to leave his hometown club Verona.
He is one of three reported targets for Paris FC as they look to switch to a back five over the coming months despite having lost a key defender to injury at AFCON.
Coppola was again an unused sub in Saturday’s defeat at Fulham while fellow defenders Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke and Olivier Boscagli all started.
That situation suited Albion, who want four senior and available centre-backs, but not Coppola.
Albion deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber told The Argus recently: “Our job, to support Fabian, is to try and make sure we’ve got the best possible squad for eventualities.
“And that does mean sometimes that you’ve got to have players that are waiting in the wings, waiting for their opportunity, working hard in training, trying to impact the staff and then, when the opportunity comes, taking it.
“That’s what all clubs at the top level have to do.
“They have to balance that need for players who want to play with the club’s need for having strength in depth for what is a long season with an intense games programme.”
Albion lost Adam Webster to long-term injury in pre-season.
They will be aware centre-back is a position where players can be vulnerable to injury or suspension and will also be keen to retain the option of fielding a back three.
And they would be wary of any situation which sees them open to accusations of poor judgement were they to let one centre-back go and immediately lose one or two more to injury or suspension.
But head coach Hurzeler has also highlighted the need for players to continue to develop.
Coppola has gone from being possibly the busiest central defender in Serie A last season at the heart of the Verona rearguard to, now, usually a spectator.
He has been seen in good spirits before games, sometimes laughing and joking with Charalampos Kostoulas on arrival at the stadium.
The wider picture for Albion is that Coppola, at 22, is a developing talent, Dunk is 34 and van Hecke’s contract expires at the end of next season.
Hurzeler said of Coppola on Friday: “We really enjoy working with him here.
“We have seen a great development. There’s a World Cup upcoming, but I’m quite sure that he will be in the future a big player.
“But we have to analyse the individual situation from each player.
“What is best for the club, what is best for the individual development from each player and then we have to make the right decision.”
Coppola wants to secure his place in the World Cup, should Italy get there.
Whether they are there or not, it makes sense for Albion to have him playing regular club football in the coming months.