PEOPLE'S player Rod Thomas is back in first team contention for Albion for the first time this year.

The pint-sized winger is added to the squad for the Seagulls' Gillingham swansong against lowly Rochdale tomorrow.

Manager Micky Adams said: "He is fit and we are all pleased about that. He has been missing for a long time.

"We will look at him closely today and make a late decision. I've heard a lot about him and I want to see him play."

Fans stumped up the £25,000 fee which lured Thomas from Chester in October.

Three goals and some dazzling displays helped Albion into play-off contention, but Thomas has not played since Christmas because of suspension, hamstring and ankle injuries.

"It's been a long and frustraing haul, but it's nice to be back amongst things," Thomas said. "You appreciate being back in the fold when you have been out for so long.

"I've only really been training properly since Monday, but my sharpness is returning and I feel I am getting there."

Albion's last 'home' game at the Priestfield Stadium could also be the last for the club for some players, with 17 of them out of contract.

Adams announces his retained list next week and midfielder Jeff Minton has already indicated the odds are stacked in favour of him exploiting the Bosman ruling by leaving.

Adams said: "It's important we sign off on a good note. In my four games so far I don't think there has been a bad performance. Hopefully we can carry that on with a decent display and result."

Albion (from): Ormerod; Walton; Allan, Mayo, Minton, Hobson, McPherson, Storer, Arnott, Hart, Moralee, Barker, Sturgess, Smith, Bennett, Ansah, Thomas.

Rochdale (from): Edwards; Farrell, Barlow, Hill, Monington, Lydiate, Carden, Bryson, Morris, Peake, Holt, Painter, Bayliss, Stoker, Bailey, Sparrow, Stokes.

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