Tommy Elphick has labelled February "make or break" for Albion's season.

The revamped Seagulls launch a potentially pivotal month at home to strugglers Crewe, desperate for a first win in six matches to re-ignite a play-off push.

Centre half Elphick admitted: "This is a massive game. We are five points off relegation and nine off the play-offs with games in hand.

"We need to start winning so that when we get the games in hand we are looking more towards promotion than saving ourselves from relegation.

"This month is the make or break month for us. We have got a lot of hard games in March, so this game can really kick start our push for the play-offs."

Glenn Murray, bought from Rochdale for £300,000, makes his full debut up front after coming on in the second half of Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Northampton.

Steven Thomson, another of the four new January recruits, is the only established midfielder who is fit.

Fellow newcomer Shane McFaul is also in contention but Jonny Dixon will have to wait to make his debut after turning an ankle in training.

Elphick said: "It's a new chapter if you like, with the new players and those that have gone. It takes a couple of weeks to get used to each other and the way people like playing but it is an exciting time."

Elphick was on the bench when Albion's poor record against Crewe continued with a 2-1 defeat on the opening day of the season. He said: "Crewe are pretty similar to us.

"They work on a tight budget and they have got a good strike force now that Nicky Maynard is back. It should be a good footballing game.

"Tom Pope is a strong, hold-up player and Maynard feeds off him. He is quick and lively, so it will be a hard test but a good one."

Albion will look to the loan market for further squad strengthening when it opens next Friday, after missing out on Peter Leven, Darren Currie and Dave Martin on the last day of the January transfer window.