FANS' favourite Gary Hart can't wait to strike up a little and large partnership with Albion's latest signing.

Hart returned to full training yesterday after being laid low for a week by a flu virus.

And he met up for the first time with Italian target man Lorenzo Pinamonte as the Seagulls stepped up preparations for their Boxing Day battle with leaders Barnet (12.00).

Hart missed Saturday's defeat at Swansea, in which loan striker Pinamonte made such a good impression on his debut.

But he revealed: "I don't feel too bad now and want to play. I think I'll be fit but it's up to the gaffer to pick his best team and hopefully I'm in it."

Adams has put all his players on standby for the holiday clashes with Barnet, Rotherham and Exeter City.

But, other than confirming that Pinamonte will start on Sunday, he is giving nothing away.

Teenager Scott Ramsay is in contention for a place in attack. But it would be a major surprise if the Seagulls boss wasn't intending to combine Hart's goal instinct and busy running with Pinamonte's physical presence and neat touch.

Hart said: "I'd never met him before but he looks a big fella. I was gutted to miss the Swansea game because I'd scored in the last two matches and I felt I'd played well.

"We've been going through a rocky stage but we do well against the top sides so let's go out and get some points."

Albion must improve on a defensive record of 11 goals against in the last four League games if they are to halt full- strength Barnet's tittle charge.

They will have to do it without stopper Darren Carr, who serves a one-match ban. Fellow defender Gary Hobson is doubtful with a back injury and striker Darren Freeman completes a four-game suspension.

Goalkeeper Mark Walton, who has borne the brunt of that slipshod defending, has recovered from flu. But he may struggle to displace Mark Ormerod who did little wrong in treacherous conditions at the Vetch Field last week.

Adams said: "Mark Walton was ill for the Swansea game but whether I'd have dropped him or not is another matter.

"I've always got selection decisions to make. It's whether I make the right ones.

"In my own head I've got a side I want to pick against Barnet, for the way they play and what we want to do in the game."

The Albion squad will train tomorrow morning and also on Monday before heading north for the game with Rotherham.

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