Charlie Oatway has given Albion a promotion boost with an amazing recovery from surgery.

Oatway resumed full training yesterday, just 15 days after an operation to repair recurring left knee trouble. He was originally expected to be out for the rest of the season but could soon be back in first team action.

Boss Micky Adams said: "He has certainly done well to be back in the frame. That tells you something about the animal.

"Other footballers may have taken an injury like that as a way out to finish for the season."

Oatway's lightning-quick comeback and the arrival of Martin Thomas from Swansea means Adams suddenly has competition for places in the middle of midfield.

Thomas would have been on the bench for last Saturday's postponement against Chesterfield, but he is in contention to start tomorrow's Withdean sell-out against mid-table Mansfield.

"I might play him," Adams said. "He has certainly put himself in the frame, because he is enthusiastic and itching to play. I don't think midfield competition will hurt us.

"I don't like doing it, but a rotational system between now and the end of the season might be handy for us in certain areas."

The other selection decision is whether 18-year-old Adam Virgo makes his full debut in the centre of defence.

"If I throw Adam in it wouldn't worry me, but we have also worked with Kerry Mayo there and Nathan Jones at leftback," Adams revealed.

A second half double by 20-goal Chris Greenacre sentenced the Seagulls to a 2-0 defeat at Mansfield in December and the Stags have drawn recently at Hartlepool.

Albion's former Mansfield stalwart Phil Stant, seeking his 200th career goal, warned: "At this stage of the season all teams are dangerous. Games like this are potential banana skins.

"We have just got to make sure we show the right commitment and don't take our foot off the pedal."