Albion boss Micky Adams has urged the promotion-bound Seagulls to "prove there is life without Bobby Zamora" at Rochdale tonight.

They must make do without their 25-goal marksman for only the second time this season.

We exclusively revealed in yesterday's late editions that Zamora also misses Saturday's visit to Halifax and could be ruled out for the rest of the season.

He broke a finger on his right hand when Kerry Mayo accidentally whacked the ball at him against Mansfield at Withdean last Saturday.

Adams will decide after the Halifax match whether Zamora, who also hurt his right ankle, should have surgery which would rule him out for the rest of the promotion run-in or delay the op until the end of the season.

"These things happen, but we have got to get on with it and prove there is life without Bobby Zamora," said Adams.

"That is slightly difficult with Lee Steele suspended, but I've got Gary Hart and Paul Brooker who can play up front and Phil Stant as well if needed."

Adams opted for Hart through the middle, Brooker on the right and Nathan Jones on the left when Zamora was banned for the Boxing Day trip to Barnet.

Albion won 1-0 that day, thanks to Hart's goal. Adams may plump for the same front line tonight, while 18-year-old prospect Adam Virgo makes his full away debut in the centre of defence.

Results could hardly have gone better for the second-placed Seagulls over the weekend, when they were the only winners in the top six.

Another victory would take them within ten points of guaranteed promotion, five points of leaders Chesterfield with a game in hand and six points clear of Cardiff, who are at home to crumbling Barnet tomorrow night.