Albion's French wingers have been urged to prove they can cope with English football in the winter.

Manager Mark McGhee is looking for big performances from influential duo Seb Carole and Alex Frutos to help the third-bottom Seagulls upset third-placed Leeds tomorrow.

McGhee believes a mid-January clash against physically strong and in-form opponents on a dead Withdean pitch represents the toughest test yet for Carole and Frutos.

"The conditions make it roll-up-your-sleeves weather," he said. "We've got to now look to the likes of Alex and Seb to really stand up and be counted.

"This is where any suspicion of a continental attitude will be most tested in conditions like tomorrow and in games like this. It's a big test for those two in particular."

Carole, on target in the 3-3 draw at Leeds earlier in the season, played up front with Colin Kazim-Richards in last Saturday's FA Cup exit against Coventry.

Gary Hart is favourite to partner Kazim-Richards this time, reuniting the partnership used in the 2-1 home win against Hull before Christmas.

Albion could have two new forwards in, one from the British Isles, the other from eastern Europe, for the visit to Sheffield United a week tomorrow but, for the time being, McGhee has to make do with what he has got.

"We are looking for a striking partnership because we know we've not got the right combination yet," he said.

"We can't expect the ones we've got at the moment to suddenly score us four goals. If they do it will be a surprise to us all.

"We've got to look more at making sure we keep it tight and if we do get a chance we take it.

"In these type of games I think you need your back four and goalkeeper to play well."

Joel Lynch, cup-tied last Saturday, is in contention for his home debut at leftback after the 18-year-old's encouraging first senior start in the Seagulls' last Championship outing at Southampton.

Meanwhile, Albion's forward misfit Maheta Molango, currently on a year-long loan with Lincoln, is returning to Spain to join UB Conquense for the rest of the season with a view to signing for the third-tier club next term.

Molango, a former Atletico Madrid reserve, has scored one goal in 14 appearances for Lincoln and has not played for them since mid-November.