Brighton coach Bert Merritt was likely to stick to a familiar formula for part of his team talk today.

And that meant asking hs men to improve on arguably their best performance of the season.

Merritt had Gary Halpin and John Green raring to go on the replacements' bench for the key London Three South East clash at home to East Grinstead.

Halpin was due to come on for the second half, as he did in the convincing win over Dunstonians at Waterhall recently.

Brighton led 27-3 at that stage and Merritt said: "I was pleased the players did not just sit back and wait for Gary to come on.

"That's what I want every week. It's good to have experienced, quality players like those two, but we don't want other teams saying we only win because of them."

Former Saracens man Green was in line to come on for the last half-hour today, barring any injuries in the back five of the pack earlier in the contest.

Merritt said: "He has not had any games yet but he has been training well and done some fairly heavy contact stuff.

"I will be looking to use him initially at No. 6, which is his favourite position."

That would probably mean a return to the second row for Danie Venter.

South African youngster Clint Barnard, who can play in the back row or at prop, was due to visit Waterhall this weekend.

Merritt hopes he will give the squad another boost in the closing weeks of a season which Brighton maintain could still end with a promotion play-off.

Ian Davies, coach of leaders Worthing, is among those still keeping an eye on Brighton as the promotion chase continues.

Merritt said: "I don't think we are out of it yet.

"I am not a great one for looking at the tables but Gary Halpin was telling us in training that we still had a chance of making it into the top two.

"I would rather be in the position Worthing or East Grinstead are in at the moment.

"Then I would say we had a definite chance. As it is, I would say we were a long shot, but possibly better than that if we can keep all our players available.

Worthing are lining up Terry Butler for a comeback in the Sussex Trophy.

The experienced Sussex centre has been out since twisting an ankle while being tackled in the win at Lewes on November 17.

Butler made a 30-yard break and suffered the injury as he was ankle-tapped.

Now Davies is lining him up for an outing in what looks to be an intriguing cup clash at home to East Grinstead on Sunday, February 17.

Centre Charlie McCarrick is also on the way back.

That will ease Davies's need to reinforce in midfield but he is still very keen to add spice to the back row.

With Sean Bennett out of action, the club have a vacancy for another overseas player.

Worthing old boy Chris Morrison, who is coaching in New Zealand, is keeping his eyes peeled for a suitable signing.

That programme of cup matches also includes Brighton's trip to Sussex One high-flyers Chichester and Hove's home tie with Bognor as highlights.

Before that, there is cup action at St Francis next Sunday as Seaford and Pulborough meet in the final of the Sussex Intermediate Shield.