Albion manager Mark McGhee wants his players to seize the opportunity to put pressure on their promotion rivals.

The third-placed Seagulls are not allowed to play home matches on Saturdays in December as part of the regulations governing their tenancy at Withdean.

The visit of Port Vale, managed by former Albion captain and boss Brian Horton, has been brought forward to tonight.

McGhee said: "I think it's a good thing, because we can put a little bit of pressure on those above us.

"I've also learnt already that a night game always makes for a better atmosphere at Withdean."

A third straight League win would take the Seagulls level with Plymouth and a point behind leaders QPR.

McGhee is expecting a tough test, even though Vale were dumped out of the FA Cup by Conference side Scarborough on Sunday.

"I've always had a good relationship with Brian and good games against his teams," McGhee said.

"I've always found him a fair and competitive guy, so I'm looking forward to it.

"I think their defeat in the FA Cup is irrelevant really. We went out to a Third Division team, so it's not that different.

"Port Vale are right on our tails and they've only won one game less than us, so I don't think we can consider ourselves to be any better than them.

"But I think the team that was out there in the second half at Queens Park Rangers on Sunday can do well against Port Vale."

That suggests wide men Gary Hart, signed for the Seagulls by Horton, and Nathan Jones will both return to the starting line-up, although John Piercy is back in contention after a one-match ban which coincided with a hamstring injury.

Danny Cullip (groin) and Richard Carpenter (hamstring) were unable to train again on Thursday, so Robbie Pethick and Zesh Rehman are standing by to deputise.

Vale, who will go level on points with Albion if they win, are expected to make changes after the Scarborough result.

Horton said: "It was an awful performance. Some of them did not earn their wages and certainly won't be playing at Brighton."