ALBION face a race against time to resolve Warren Aspinall's future.

They have until midnight tonight to meet the FA Cup deadline for his permanent move from Colchester.

Aspinall must be registered by then to be eligible for the first round tie at Peterborough a week tomorrow.

The Argus revealed yesterday that chairman Dick Knight is in talks with Colchester counterpart Peter Heard in an attempt to seal a deal for the 32-year-old midfielder.

Aspinall's month on loan started with a 1-0 home victory against struggling Cheltenham and officially ends tomorrow away to the same opponents.

Albion will be roared on by 1,400 fans on their first visit to Whaddon Road for 64 years.

Manager Micky Adams expects Cheltenham to be tough to beat again. "They should have beaten us at Withdean," he admitted. "But we are slightly better away from home at the moment."

The Seagulls' only defeat on their travels was at Halifax in injury time. Skipper Paul Rogers, who scored the stoppage time winner against Cheltenham four Saturdays ago, said: "It should be a different game this time.

"Our best form has been away from home, when teams are coming at us."

Adams has indicated he will revert back to a 5-3-2 formation tomorrow.

That means Keith McPherson, rested for Tuesday's 1-0 home victory over Shrewsbury, will probably return to the centre of defence and Rod Thomas to the bench.

Midweek matchwinner Gary Hart has been passed fit. He was carried off after a horror challenge by David Hughes which resulted in a red card for the Shrewsbury defender.

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