Albion manager Micky Adams has leapt to the defence of his under-fire assistant Alan Cork.

Adams admits he instructed Cork to launch a verbal attack against striker Dave Cameron after last Saturday's game at Hull. Cameron was substituted just 20 minutes into the Seagulls' 2-0 defeat. Adams sent Cork out to handle press interviews afterwards and Cork branded Cameron "useless".

The Argus has been inundated by letters and E-mails protesting about Cork's remarks. But Adams has now admitted: "All of the comments attributed to Alan Cork were ran past me beforehand. I tell him what to say at after-match press conferences. Corky doesn't do anything without my say-so. The words that came out of his mouth had nothing to do with him and I can't understand what all the fuss is about."

Cameron is not in the squad for tomorrow's home match against Plymouth Argyle, which marks the debut of Carl Hutchings on loan from Bristol City. Adams also hopes to clinch the signing today of an unnamed loan striker

Hutchings, 25, is happy to be with Albion for a month after losing his place at Bristol City. "I was a regular under Tony Pulis, but since he left to join Portsmouth I have been left out for the last two or three games," he said. "I know Micky Adams from Brentford, so I was quite pleased to get a phone call from him.

"I think he wants to play me in the centre of midfield at the moment, although I have played as a centre half or wingback as well in the past. I'm looking forward to my debut. Hopefully I can come in, make a difference and we can win."

Albion have been hit by two fresh injury worries. Central defender Darren Carr is very doubtful with a calf injury sustained in training and top scorer Darren Freeman has a leg infection.

Keith McPherson (calf) and Jamie Campbell (hernia) are already ruled out and Ross Johnson is still on loan to Colchester, but Charlie Oatway and Andy Crosby return from suspensions.

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