Gary Hart wants to be the right man for Albion's Second Division challenge. Hart believes his best position now is as a right winger.

The former Stansted high-flier played for the Seagulls as an orthodox striker until boss Micky Adams revised his role last season.

Adams has signed German Dirk Lehmann from Hibernian to partner the prolific Bobby Zamora up front and Hart hopes to be providing ammunition for them from a wide position.

"I've established myself more as a right winger now," he said.

"He (Adams) has brought Dirk in, but nobody knows yet what formation we are actually going to play so it's a guessing game at this time of year.

"You have just got to prove yourself again, try and get in his side and stay there.

"The right side is probably my best position now and I like it. You get more involved.

"Up front you can sometimes be out of the game. Where I want to play and where I have been playing you are in the game near enough constantly."

Hart could have another role to play this season, as an emergency goalkeeper.

Adams does not usually have cover on the bench for Michel Kuipers in League games.

Hart swapped places with Kuipers for a fund-raising friendly at Crowborough at the end of last season, so would he volunteer if the big Dutchman got injured during a match?

"I don't know what would happen in that situation, but I'm not much of a goalkeeper," Hart admitted.

"I saved a penalty though, so perhaps I could go in for them like they do in America!"

Hart is relishing the step up after joining Albion from Stansted in the Essex League and spending three seasons with the title winning Seagulls in the Third Division.

He points to competitive contests in the Worthington Cup against Gillingham and Millwall, both of whom went on to be promoted to Division One, as proof that Albion will adapt.

"I know we lost both of those ties, but we stood up to them," Hart said. "This year we have got a bigger and stronger squad."

Albion step up pre-season preparations on Tuesday with their opening friendly against Worthing (7.30).

Woodside Road will be the venue again for Albion's reserve team fixtures and Worthing are anticipating a bumper crowd.

A spokesman for the Ryman League club revealed: "The ground holds four and a half thousand and we've had four thousand tickets printed."

Albion take another side to Folkestone the following night.

Next Saturday Adams stretches his first team squad between games at Hailsham and Aldershot. The Shots match is a repeat of the FA Cup first round clash between the teams last November, which the Seagulls won 6-2.