Albion manager Micky Adams is giving his frustrated fringe players rare run-outs.

He will field virtually a reserve team for tonight's LDV Vans Trophy tie against Alan Cork's Cardiff at Withdean.

Cork is following suit by treating the re-sponsored and re-shaped competition for lower League and Conference clubs as a squad exercise.

Both sides have big FA Cup ties on Saturday. The Seagulls go to Scunthorpe in the second round, while Cardiff entertain Cheltenham.

They are also bang in form in the top five of the Third Division and pushing for promotion, so what used to be the Auto Windscreens Shield is low on the list of priorities.

Adams said: "I think we are both in the same mode. I will be playing people on the fringes, so the subs will get a game.

"Certain players will be rested. Some of them looked a bit jaded on Saturday.

"It's a game we could have done without at the moment. With a big FA Cup tie coming up on Saturday we could have just done with a week's training."

Bench quintet Paul Brooker, Andy Crosby, Lee Steele, Steve Melton and Scott Ramsay are all expected to start.

There could also be places for fit-again goalkeeper Mark Cartwright and winger Rod Thomas.

The Seagulls have a much smaller squad than Cardiff, with only 16 fit outfield players to select from following Darren Carr's loan move to Rotherham and the release of young midfielder Danny Davis.

Adams is best man at Cork's wedding next summer and he is still keen to put one over his former No. 2 at Albion, Fulham and Swansea.

"It will be rather strange seeing him in the other dugout," Adams added. "We are both in good form and we want to progress if we can."

ALBION'S next League match at Mansfield on December 16 is all-ticket for Seagulls supporters.

They have been allocated 1,600 seats for the trip to Field Mill, priced £13 adults and £6 concessions.

Tickets are available to away scheme members only. The deadline for postal applications is tomorrow, with the remainder for season ticket holders on sale on Thursday and for non-season ticket holders on Friday.

Any tickets left then go on general sale to all away scheme members on Saturday.