Dean Wilkins today admitted he was devastated to see his star loan defender go home early.

As revealed by theargus.co.uk yesterday morning, under-fire Coventry City boss Micky Adams has recalled Andrew Whing from his loan spell with Albion.

The move rules Whing out of the Seagulls' key League One clash at home to Carlisle on Saturday and the trip to Bournemouth on Monday.

It could also affect any hope they may have had of signing him permanently when the transfer window opens.

Wilkins, whose team chase a first home League cleansheet since August on Saturday, admitted: "I'm devastated he (Whing) is having to go back.

"He has been outstanding for us, not only as a rightback but also filling in at centreback.

"As a footballer, a person and a character he was everything we wanted at the club. He's a good lad with a good work ethic and he fitted in well with everybody."

Whing has become a popular member of the Albion squad since making his debut in the defeat to Blackpool on October 8.

He created Gary Hart's winner in his first away game, at Scunthorpe, and was ever-present in the League and Johnstone's Paint Trophy from then on, making 15 appearances.

Adams watched Whing in Albion's recent win over Swansea, at which time there seemed no prospect of the player receiving an early recall.

However, the situation at the Ricoh Arena has changed dramatically since then, with a run of three successive defeats seeing some of the Sky Blues support turn against the manager.

Meanwhile Wilkins has praised Joe Gatting's efforts to give him something to think about in attack. Gatting followed his recent impressive effort off the bench at Oldham by scoring and hitting the post against Yeovil on Tuesday.

Wilkins said: "Hopefully that gives him confidence to push on a little bit and put the front two under pressure."