Brighton and Hove Albion are expecting a decision on their plans for a stadium at Falmer on Friday.

Manager Mark McGhee revealed last night that he is convinced the announcement would arrive by the end of this week.

He told reporters after Albion's 1-1 away draw against Sheffield Wednesday last night: "It's due this week. We think Friday... we've been told Friday."

Asked about the decision, he said: "I've got my fingers crossed, my legs crossed, everything crossed."

It is the strongest indication yet that Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is about to announce his long-awaited verdict on the Seagulls' plans for a 22,000-capacity stadium.

Speculation and rumour has been rife among fans, with many already convinced Mr Prescott will say yes to the stadium.

Seagulls' supporters web site North Stand Chat is reporting that decisions on planning applications of this kind usually get announced on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, in which case a decision would be announced sooner.

Earlier in the day yesterday, Celia Barlow, Labour MP for Hove and Portslade, said: "I have not heard anything officially or unofficially about when the decision will be or what it will be.

"Gut feeling tells me it will be this week rather than next Monday.

"The closest steer was the one we had from John Prescott himself during the Labour Conference."

Albion chairman Dick Knight said: "I have no comment to make and I'm not getting drawn into speculation."

Falmer For All chairman Paul Samrah said he had been suffering from sleepless nights but was not getting involved in the rumour mill.

He said: "I don't want to speculate. I'm waiting for the fat man to sing rather than the thin lady."

Mr Prescott hinted that he might say yes to Falmer when he was in Brighton for the Labour Party conference in September, when up to 10,000 Seagulls fans marched along the seafront.

The Deputy Prime Minister said comments he made in his conference speech had been an "indication" of how the decision would go.

He told delegates: "I know many in this city want a new football stadium. Can I say to them, this announcement will be made by the end of this October."

When asked to expand on his comments by The Argus, the Deputy Prime Minister said they were "an interesting indication".

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said it would be the decision will be announced to interested parties like the club and Falmer Parish Council before it is made public.

A spokesman could give no more specific information about the timing of the announcement, only that it would be on or before October 31.

Mr Prescott minister acknowledged Albion's need for a new stadium when he re-opened the public inquiry in 2003 to investigate alternative sites, despite an inspector saying Falmer should be refused.