Soggy Withdean was underwater yesterday, just 48 hours before Albion's prestige friendly against Sheffield Wednesday.

A huge puddle covered the south side of the pitch in front of the dugouts.

Groundstaff were busy forking other areas as well as the players squelched through surface water for their team photo.

Four new soakways have been built in the summer to try to tackle the flooding, which nearly caused postponements last season.

Sussex County Cricket Club have made their 'whale' available to clear surface water, but Albion ordered Stadium managers Ecovert not to use it yesterday.

Martin Perry, the Seagulls' chief executive, said: "There was a very heavy downfall of rain, which is unfortunate. The soakways have actually worked in that it would have been worse than it is.

"We specifically told Ecovert not to put the whale on, because it brings mud up.

"If we don't get any more rain it will be fine, but exceptionally heavy rain caueses the pitch not to drain.

"It's in a bowl and water doesn't run away. We are doing everything we can and the issues relating to the pitch are being closely addressed.

"That will continue until we get what we want, but it is one of the reasons why we have got to go to Falmer. It is not an ideal surface."