Russell Slade should be called Sir for what he achieved at Yeovil, according to his opposite number today.

Tranmere manager Ronnie Moore is dumbfounded by the Albion chief’s treatment by his former club.

Slade is in dispute with Yeovil over both the reasons for his departure from Huish Park and a compensation package, which he claims they have reneged on.

Moore said: “Russell Slade should have been knighted for what he did at Yeovil, not sacked. That’s how daft the game is.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that he will get Brighton going. But we will have to make sure they don’t start until after they have played us.”

Moore regards Slade’s only victory so far, the 5-0 trouncing of Yeovil at Withdean a fortnight ago, as a warning of what Albion are capable of.

He said: “Brighton should not be where they are with the players they have in their squad. But sometimes things don’t go for you in this game.

“I know Russell very well and I know he wants to play football. They won their last home game 5-0 so we know they can score goals.

“That will have given a Russell hell of a good feeling. Yeovil have not won since he left – and they won four in a row before he went!”

Winning is all that matters to Moore today as Rovers attempt to strengthen their pursuit of a play-off spot. He said: “We don’t want the draw. It does nothing for either side. One of us needs to win it and hopefully it can be us.”

Craig Curran has made a timely return to contention for Tranmere after six months on the sidelines.

The 19-year-old frontman, frustrated by back and stomach injuries, may be required today as Rovers try to follow up last Saturday’s success at Oldham.

Moore’s son, Ian, is doubtful with a groin strain and Terry Gornell, another promising teenager, is ruled out with a medial ligament injury.

Chris Greenacre, a regular scorer against Albion in the past, is still a few days away from launching his comeback from a foot injury so Curran could be pushed into the front line alongside former Seagull Bas Savage after a couple of outings in the reserves.

Moore said: “We pulled Craig out of the reserve game in midweek, because Ian has picked up a knock.

“It happened in training on Tuesday and Ian has been under treatment since then. We don’t know if he’ll be able to shake it off in time.

“Curran’s had runs of 45 and 60 minutes in reserve games and he might not be quite ready yet for 90 minutes of first team football so if he does start he may not be able to last the whole game.”

The experienced and versatile Gareth Edds is favourite to deputise for on-loan Stoke right-back Ryan Shotton, who starts a two-match ban for accumulating ten yellow cards.

Hartlepool remain in relegation danger after they lost 3-2 at Southend in last night’s game.

Pools had goalkeeper Aaran Lee Barrett sent-off after just 14 minutes for a professional foul on Theo Robinson.

Lee Barnard’s resultant penalty and a Franck Moussa 20-yarder quickly had the Shrimpers in a 2-0 lead but they were being forced to hang on at the end.