Adam Virgo could be heading back to Albion.

The Seagulls are interested in re-signing the defender from Celtic.

They face competition from other clubs but the reappointment of Micky Adams as Albion manager gives them an advantage.

Virgo regards Adams as his "mentor" and has already linked up with him at three different clubs.

The prospect of returning to his roots to work with Adams for a fourth time will be attractive to the versatile 25-year-old.

Adams gave Virgo his Albion debut seven years ago.

He signed him on loan from Celtic when he was Coventry manager and was assistant manager at Colchester last season when they also borrowed him from the Scottish giants.

Speaking about his switch to Colchester last August, Virgo said: "Micky Adams has been my mentor for a long time and he gave me my professional debut for Brighton.

"Working with him turned out to be an advantage for me at Coventry and I hope it will here."

Virgo played 80 games for Albion after working his way up through the youth team.

He made his biggest impact during the reign of Mark McGhee, scoring a last-gasp equaliser at Withdean to rescue the Seagulls from an aggregate defeat against Swindon in the play-offs in 2004.

They went on to be promoted and the following season Virgo's goals kept Albion in the Championship after he was converted into a centre- forward.

That earned him a surprise £1.5 million move to Celtic in July 2005 but he has struggled north of the border.

A season-long loan stint with Adams' Coventry two years ago was cut short by injury but he established himself in the Colchester side relegated from the Championship last season.

Capturing Virgo, who can play in either full-back position as well as the heart of the defence, would further increase Adams' options at the back following the signing of former Coventry centre-half Colin Hawkins.