Alboin boss Micky Adams has challenged his players to prove they have Premiership potential.

Most of the attention will be on Bobby Zamora in tonight's Worthington Cup showdown against Southampton at Withdean.

But Adams believes the second round sell-out provides a perfect opportunity for the prolific young striker's team-mates to parade their talents as well.

"It's a great stage for all of my players, not only Bobby Zamora," said Adams.

"We all have a tendency to sit there when we are watching the TV and think we could be a Premiership player or manager.

"Now we are going to pit our wits for 90 minutes, or maybe even more, against a Premiership side, which gives us the opportunity to show people that maybe we could be."

Albion resisted the temptation to cash in by raising prices or having the tie switched to Southampton's new St Mary's stadium on safety grounds.

They are hoping instead for a 12th straight win at Withdean to put them in Saturday's third round draw with the seven European representatives headed by Manchester United, Arsenal, Leeds and Liverpool.

"It's 11 v 11 and we have got more chance of winning at our place," Adams said.

"They have got some good quality players, as you would expect of a Premier League side, and I am not expecting to steamroller them that's for sure.

"But what a chance for my players to go out and prove they can compete or maybe try to attain that sort of level."

Adams is sweating on the availability of key men Danny Cullip and Charlie Oatway.

Cullip suffered hamstring and arm injuries and Oatway an ankle knock in Saturday's last-gasp win against QPR.

Neither of them trained yesterday and they face late fitness tests. Andy Crosby, Gary Hart, and Geoff Pitcher are the main candidates for starting places if they don't make it.

Southampton have only Middlesbrough below them following three Premiership games without a point or a goal.

Latvian Marian Pahars is an injury doubt, but Norwegian Claus Lundekvam is expected to return to the centre of defence after a one-match ban and James Beattie could start up front.

The 300 tickets which went on general sale yesterday morning were snapped up within a couple of hours and Albion's League game against Stoke next Tuesday is already another sell-out.

Tickets are currently on sale for the south coast derby against Bournemouth on September 22 and from Thursday for the visit to Wycombe Wanderers on September 25.

The Wycombe clash is all-ticket for away fans, with Albion allocated 2,000 seats.