Defender Matt Heath will not be short of old mates as he settles into life as an Albion loanee.

He will also be reporting back to an old Seagulls favourite as he tries to help his temporary club out of trouble and get himself back into contention for a Colchester recall.

The 27-year-old, 6ft 4in centre back is with Albion for a month to help them through an injury crisis which, from the defensive point of view, has seen them lose Adam Hinshelwood, Jim McNulty and Tommy Elphick as well as the suspended Adam Virgo.

Heath fell out of favour with Colchester at just the wrong time as they went on a run which turned them from relegation possibles to play-off outsiders.

He switched south in time for that abortive League One fixture at Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

And it was there that previous stints with Coventry, Leeds and Colchester helped him enjoy something of an old pals’ reunion.

Leicester-born Heath said: “I know about four or five of the lads already and the rest of them seem welcoming.

“I know Whingy (Andrew Whing) and Birch (Chris Birchall) from Coventry, Seb (Carole) from Leeds and Macca (Kevin McLeod) and Virgs from Colchester.

“It’s a little bit easier when you’re not walking in the changing room not knowing anybody.

“I was training with Colchester on Monday preparing for their game on Tuesday night.

“Then after training I was called aside by the manager and asked if I fancied going out on loan for a few games.

“I wasn’t playing for Colchester so it wasn’t really a difficult decision to make to come and play a few games and hopefully help Brighton out of the relegation zone.”

Heath started for Colchester in their recent 1-0 derby home defeat to Southend but that was his only League One outing since being injured early on at Peterborough in November.

Up until then he had been pretty much a regular for the side he joined from Leeds, initially on loan almost a year ago.

He said: “I was playing a few games early in the season, then there was a manager change.

“I picked up a few injuries and the boys at Colchester did really well so I couldn’t moan at not playing.

“They were winning games so chances have been a bit limited in the last couple of months. They got on a bit off a roll and went about ten games unbeaten which takes you right up the table.

“Now we’re looking at the play-offs rather than looking down.

“All credit to the management and the players, they have turned it right around.”

The revival has seen ex-Seagulls loanee Mark Yeates pose an attacking threat and a certain Dean Hammond lead from midfield.

And therein lies the other Albion connection.

“Dean’s a close mate of mine,” Heath said. “He told me it’s a great opportunity at Brighton, a great club and the lads are good.

“He said ‘go and enjoy yourself’.

“He’s doing well at Colchester, skippering the club. The new manager took a shine to him, he has taken the arm band and is leading by example.

“He is sitting in the midfield and playing really well, really solid.

“He said go down to Brighton and give him a ring now and again.”

Heath, who experienced the final throes of a relegation campaign with Colchester last year, said: “I didn’t imagine Brighton to be right down the bottom when you imagine what this club could achieve.

“You don’t keep a close eye on everyone’s results but being right down the bottom can’t have been brilliant recently.

“Fingers crossed with a little bit of luck we will be able to turn it around.”