Charlie Oatway has joined the chorus of disapproval from within the Albion camp over fans boycotting tomorrow's match against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park.

The tough-tackling midfielder has branded the stay-away campaign "ludicrous" as he targets a healthy Bank Holiday points haul to continue the Seagulls' satisfactory start.

Manager Martin Hinshelwood has already urged fans to ignore the boycott launched by Albion's official Supporters' Club in protest at Wimbledon's move to Milton Keynes.

Oatway said: "I think it's ludicrous. We have got our own problems. We have just come into the First Division, we need the three points and we need our fans behind us. The crowd are part of our team spirit and we need them there."

Tomorrow's tussle opens a rapid double header against two of the First Division's lesser lights, with Walsall visiting Withdean on Monday.

It follows a draw and defeat for the Seagulls at home to a couple of the more fancied sides, Coventry and Norwich.

Oatway said: "You look at a League by grids and teams like Wolves, Coventry and Norwich are all going to be up there. You look at Wimbledon and Walsall and think to yourself we have got to take points. We knew we had to take points from the first three games and we have done that after winning at Burnley on the opening day. If we can do that again and then over the course of the season we will be all right."

New signing Paul Kitson makes his debut against the Dons on familiar territory. The 31-year-old former West Ham striker had a loan spell with Crystal Palace two seasons ago.

He also scored the winning goal against Palace at Selhurst Park the season before that to help Charlton to the Division One title during another loan stint.

"I usually score in my second game for clubs, but I've got about three or four goals before at Selhurst Park so hopefully I'll get one on Saturday," said Kitson.

"I think we will take some good support there and hopefully we will get the right result."

Shaun Wilkinson is in contention for his full away debut alongside Kitson in the absence of Bobby Zamora with a knee ligament strain.

Nathan Jones (knee) and Steve Melton (hamstring) are both on the road to full recoveries, but the best they can hope for is a place on the bench.

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