Albion's Mark McGhee was today pipped for the manager of the month award by a Brighton-born rival.

Cardiff's Lennie Lawrence has landed the Coca-Cola Championship prize for January, despite the Seagulls' unbeaten run.

McGhee guided Albion to wins at home to Watford and away to Sheffield United last month, as well as draws at QPR and Leeds and against Nottingham Forest at Withdean.

The impressive run of results has eased the Seagulls away from the relegation places. They were also narrowly beaten at Spurs in the third round of the FA Cup.

It still wasn't quite enough for McGhee to be given the verdict by a three-man panel comprising Sky Sports pundit Chris Kamara, former World Cup final referee Jack Taylor and League Managers' Association chief John Barnwell.

Lawrence steered Cardiff five points clear of the drop zone with home wins against Nottingham Forest and Burnley, victory at Derby and a draw at Leeds.

The Welshmen also took Blackburn Rovers to a replay in the FA Cup.

The close contest between McGhee and Lawrence adds spice to Albion's trip to Ninian Park a week on Saturday.

Mark McCammon's second loan spell with the Seagulls from Millwall is expected to become permanent today.

The target man will sign a contract through to the end of next season after rejoining in time to feature in last Saturday's 1-1 draw at Leeds.

Midfielder Richard Carpenter will have a painkilling injection in an ankle injury so that he can play against Derby at Withdean on Saturday.

Meanwhile, McGhee has revealed his fears over transfer window restrictions which could apply to Albion and the rest of the Football League clubs from next season.

They may be treated the same as Premiership clubs, which means players can only be bought, sold and loaned in August and January.

The League had special dispensation from FIFA to be excluded from the restrictions, but they have now been told this will not continue beyond the end of the season.

Albion would not have been able to sell in December Darren Currie to Ipswich for £250,000 or captain Danny Cullip to Sheffield United if the restrictions had applied this season.

McCammon's first loan spell from Millwall in the same month would also have been scuppered.

McGhee said: "This will have financial implications for clubs. We would have been under pressure, because we needed the Currie money at that time.

"It is also going to make the loan system a bit of a nonsense, not just for the clubs but for players who need games."

The League have established a working party to consider the implications of the change. The matter will be discussed with all clubs next month.