Graham Potter says he trusts his Albion players to do the right thing off duty during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Seagulls aim to move further away from the relegation zone when they host Manchester United tomorrow (8.15pm).

They have seen rivals below them slip up – and Watford lose three players to “health and safety” reasons ahead of yesterday’s 3-1 home defeat to Southampton.

Potter says he trusts his squad not to put their health at risk.

He said: “I wouldn't necessarily say it's instruction.

“They are all aware of the situation we've been in, the situation we are still in.

“They know the restrictions that we're all living under.

“I just treat them like adults, human beings and expect them to be professional and behave accordingly.”

Andre Gray, Nathaniel Chalobah and Domingos Quina were left out of Nigel Pearson's matchday squad against Southampton.

A post on the club's Twitter account said all three players were omitted by the manager "to ensure the health and safety of all players, staff and officials at today's game".

A newspaper report claimed striker Gray had hosted a party at his house for around 20 people on Friday.

Pearson declined to expand on reasons for their absence.

Gray has today apologised. He wrote on his Instagram story: "I wanted to wait to make (a) public apology as my first apology needed to be to my team-mates and staff first for not being able to be involved in yesterday's game and the risk I may have caused!

"I just want to reiterate that it was not a late-night party like what is being portrayed and only a gathering of friends which turned into a sort of football tournament on my birthday! I understand my responsibilities and will do what it takes to make it right, apologies again!"