GARY Hobson is hoping for a favour from his Albion team-mates on Saturday.

Leyton Orient, the visitors to Withdean, are one of the main relegation rivals to Hobson's current club Chester.

Orient are next-to-bottom, five points above Chester with a game in hand.

"I hope the lads beat them," Hobson said. "They are one of the teams we are looking at, although we have got our eyes on Carlisle as well."

Hobson has suddenly been plunged into another struggle for Football League survival after joining Chester on a month's loan a week ago. It is, of course, familiar territory for Albion's former captain and ex-Northampton boss Ian Atkins snapped him up on the same day as he was appointed Chester's new director of football.

"I don't know whether that is one of the reasons he went for me," Hobson said. "But I have been there. I am not particularly proud of the fact, but I know what it's like to be in a struggling team.

"Maybe Chester need that bit of experience. They have got some good young players, but they sometimes overplay and give sloppy goals away."

While Albion were losing at Rochdale last Saturday Hobson made his Chester debut in a 2-1 home defeat against promotion-chasing Darlington.

"I played in my normal position as a left-sided centre half, even though I had number two on my back," he said.

"We were a bit unfortunate. It went okay considering we were up against one of the better sides in the division.

"We had a man sent-off which killed us a little bit, but we had a good chance to equalise near the end.

"There weren't massive changes to the team. Three of us came in and the team showed a bit of fight. We are a few points behind, but we have got half a chance of gettting out of trouble."

Hobson, 27, has become accustomed to adversity since Jimmy Case signed him for Albion from his home town club Hull for £60,000 in March 1996.

His arrival came too late to save the Seagulls from relegation from the Second Division, then came that dramatic last day escape at Hereford followed by another battle to beat the drop.

When Jeff Wood briefly took charge last season he told Hobson he could leave.

Martin Hinshelwood recalled him for his one match in caretaker charge, a victory at Plymouth, and Hobson retained his place for the remainder of the campaign once Micky Adams took over.

Now though he has slipped back down the pecking order again. Competition for places has been fierce since Adams rebuilt the squad, particularly in the centre of defence.

Hobson has been restricted to 11 appearances this term, the last against Rochdale last month, and he had only featured in the starting line-up five times since August.

"My contract is up at the end of the season and the gaffer cannot promise me a first team place, so it was best for both parties," he said. "I was reasonably pleased with the way things went for me last Saturday and I will just see how it goes.

"I have signed for a month on loan and at the moment that's all. I want to get a few games under my belt and it's just nice to be playing again."

Injuries have not helped Hobson's cause. He has been hit by a variety of problems during his four years with Albion and delayed a minor operation on a slight elbow problem to make the move to Chester.

He was ineligible for Tuesday's Auto Windscreens Shield tie against Hull, because he played for the Seagulls in their surprise first round victory over Millwall.

Chester are at home to Rotherham on Saturday and then visit Northampton, so Hobson could hardly have faced a tougher start to his career at the Deva Stadium.

Which team he is playing for when Albion visit Chester next month remains to be seen.

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