Albion have put one over on promotion enemies Cardiff by snatching Martin Thomas.

Cardiff wanted to sign Thomas from Swansea, but their arch rivals in Wales blocked the deal.

Albion boss Micky Adams snapped Thomas up on a free transfer an hour before last Thursday's transfer deadline.

Adams' former No. 2 Alan Cork, now the boss at Cardiff, revealed: "I tried to take Martin until the end of the season two weeks before Micky got him, but Swansea wouldn't deal with us."

Cork took Thomas to Swansea after taking over as manager there from Adams.

Albion are neck and neck with Cardiff in the promotion race and Cork fears Thomas will make a difference.

"Martin is a very aggressive, up and down midfielder," he said. "He has a lot of pace, works his heart out for the team and is a good all-round player."

Thomas and Richard Carpenter could join forces again in the centre of the park for Albion while Charlie Oatway continues his rapid recovery from knee surgery.

Carpenter regards the Seagulls' new signing as the perfect replacement for Oatway, who is due to resume training today.

"I played with Thomo at Fulham for just under two seasons," Carpenter said.

"He is a hard working player who puts his foot in and never gives less than 100 per cent.

"I would say he is much the same as Charlie. Both are tough tacklers and very aggressive."

Thomas is likely to be on the bench for Saturday's Withdean sell-out against mid-table Mansfield.

An intended run-out yesterday was wrecked by the postponement of the reserve team fixture at Reading.

A win or draw on Saturday will move Albion back up into second place for at least 24 hours.

Cardiff are not in action until Sunday, when they visit Cheltenham.