LIAM ROSENIOR has told Albion’s players the battle for places starts now.

The Seagulls are preparing for friendlies away to Luton Town (2pm) and Stevenage (5.30pm) tomorrow.

Senior professional Rosenior accepts opening run outs against Crawley Town and Fulham were all about getting minutes in their legs.

But he believes the emphasis now shifts in the build-up to the Championship season.

He told The Argus: “It changes from now.

“It wasn’t a good result on Tuesday (a 3-0 defeat to Fulham) and not a great performance.

“We need to draw a line under it and set higher standards for ourselves.

“We need to go into games against Luton, Stevenage, Oxford and Lazio with players looking to state their claims for places in the first game of the season.

“We have all had 90 minutes in total now. We have had two lots of 45 minutes.

“We have got a full game under our belts so now it is about upping our intensity in training, upping our levels in games and really pushing for places in the team.

“The only way you can do that is by performing well, winning games and having good habits which you need in pre-season.”

Albion will take a host of players from their newly renamed under-23 squad with them to the two League Two venues although boss Chris Hughton has warned they will only get limited playing time as senior stars have 75-80 minutes apiece.