Matt Upson has urged Albion to relax and relish the chance to push for the play-offs.

The former England defender is concerned some of his team mates – notably the younger players – might be feeling the pressure of a race for the top six.

But, as the Seagulls prepare to face rock-bottom Yeovil, he has encouraged them to forget the tension and put on a show at the Amex.

The vastly-experienced centre-back reckons Albion can take the heat off themselves with a relaxed mental approach.

He has urged colleagues to remember some of their better performances on home turf.

Upson told The Argus: “We can’t put too much pressure on ourselves. We have got a few young players in key areas of the team.

“They are tasting their first real experience of senior football at this level and the possibility of a play-off push.

“We have just got to take a little step back, take a breather.

“Pressure is something that is created within. You put pressure on yourself.

“People have just got to be in the frame of mind where they go out and play and enjoy themselves.

“When we do that at home, we play good football and we beat teams because we are a good side.”

Upson has urged players to do what works for them in a bid to be relaxed for the televised visit of a Glovers side on the brink of relegation.

And that could mean ignoring all the build-up to arguably the Seagulls’ biggest league fixture yet at the Amex.

He added: “I think it's a personal thing. Some players go through all the coverage, some players don’t read it and don’t care.

“For me, you create the pressure, not anyone else, and we need to ease that on ourselves.”

Upson has played down the significance of Albion playing their 45th game of the season before their rivals.

He said: “I don’t think about it too much.

“If we have a bad result it will give the other teams a gee up but if we have a good result it works the other way.

“I don’t know if there is an advantage either way.”