David Stockdale has urged Albion fans to hold their nerve as their side struggle to secure survival.

But the goalshy Seagulls must tackle the last three games without top league scorer Joao Teixeira, whose season has been ended by a broken leg.

Six-goal Teixeira was stretchered off during the 0-0 draw with Huddersfield on Tuesday.

The injury was yesterday confirmed as a fracture just above the ankle.

Albion had already resigned themselves to bad news on the player who has spent this season on loan from Liverpool.

He required lengthy treatment on the pitch and was then taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton for a scan.

Teixeira will return to Licerpool to start his recovery while his former team mates attempt to end any relegation fears.

The Seagulls can relegate Wigan by beating them on Saturday but defeat would leave them facing a tense finale to the season.

Stockdale said he could sense anxiety in the stands during the latest disappointment at the Amex.

The Albion goalkeeper told The Argus: “There were nerves. They have been blessed at Brighton with a lot of good football over the years.

“This is one of the years where things haven’t gone right and they haven’t been where they expect.

“You’re going to have that at football clubs.

“Everyone goes through it and hopefully we come through it and bring back the good times. You’ve still got to keep that belief. That’s what the manager says and we all say as a team.

“We’re out of the relegation zone. There are five teams below us, one has already gone, we can look forward here.”