  Probes for the small-x parton densities and predicted effects of gluon
saturation are discussed. At very low x and intermediate Q, only results on
hadronic observables at the LHC are available, which do not provide unambiguous
information. It is shown that the measurement of direct photons at forward
rapidity at the LHC is particularly promising to provide a unique signal. We
further discuss the possibilities to perform such measurements with a detector
upgrade in the ALICE experiment and present the R&D activities ongoing.
