ALBION manager Micky Adams is preparing his players for a Mansfield backlash at Field Mill tonight.

The Stags were staggered by a 6-0 walloping at Withdean on the opening day of the season.

They have recovered since then under Billy Dearden, one of Adams' playing heroes at Sheffield United, to move above the Seagulls in the Third Division table.

Four League wins out of five have just earned Dearden the manager of the month award.

"Mansfield is a difficult game for us because of what happened in the first game of the season," Adams warned.

"That will rankle with them. It certainly did with Billy and I am sure he will have them fired up for this one.

"They have also got two home games in the space of four days and if they win them both they would be right in there with a play-off shout."

Albion have slipped to 16th, their lowest position of the campaign, despite Saturday's creditable

1-1 draw at home to promotion-chasing Darlington.

But only leaders Rotherham have lost fewer away games than the Seagulls and Adams is adamant the season is still very much alive.

"I am not ruling us out of anything, except relegation," he declared.

"We have got 18 games to go and we will try to get as many points as we can."

Albion have no injury worries for tonight's match, but a headache is looming for Adams in the centre of defence.

Keith McPherson has picked up a calf injury in training.

Andy Crosby is suspended for Saturday's trip to Hull and McPherson was being earmarked to replace him.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.