Adam Virgo may finally be about to get his wish – a run in the Albion side at centre half.

Virgo seems certain to occupy his favourite position against Tranmere at Withdean tomorrow, with Tommy Elphick and Matt Heath both suspended.

Elphick is also banned for the next game at MK Dons so the versatile Virgo has a chance to cement a place at the heart of the back four after spending most of the season in midfield, at right-back or up front.

He said: “I really hope so, fingers crossed. It’s only taken until the middle of March!

“I really hope I can play centre half and start playing my normal game again and really show people what I am all about.

“Centre half is my best position and if I can just get a consistent run of games there then hopefully I can prove some of the doubters wrong who have maybe questioned me.

Comfortable “It’s my most natural position and the one I feel most comfortable in. I have done the best I can this year and I think the limited appearances I have made at centre half have probably been my best.

“I have waited long enough for my chance there and hopefully now until the end of the season I can take my chance with both hands.”

Virgo returned in midfield from a five-match suspension for two red cards at Scunthorpe last Saturday.

The 2-0 defeat at Glanford Park has left Albion in dire danger of the drop. Six points adrift of safety with nine games left is effectively seven, taking into account goal difference.

Boss Russell Slade has demanded maximum points from the remaining four games at Withdean and Virgo has called on fans to play their part.

He admitted: “Saturday is a massive game – every game is a cup final between now and the end of the season.

“Hereford coming up away, Swindon at home, these are all massive games for the future of the club and for the futures of a lot of the players.

“We need everyone pulling in the same direction, not so much criticism towards the players or about the way things have gone. It’s now or never.

“I have been in the situation before here when we were in the Championship and the odds were not with us to stay up but we ended up doing it because everyone stayed positive and the crowd got behind us.

“It’s a joint performance and we definitely need the crowd as a 12th man on Saturday.

“We have got to stay positive and still believe we can get maximum points from our home games because they are crucial.

“We have got to get back to Withdean being a hard place to come to and, if we lose, the other team have got to earn the three points, not be given them.”

This time last year Virgo was playing for Colchester at West Brom in the Championship, the year before that for Coventry at Birmingham, the year before that for Celtic in the Scottish Premier League. The possibility, indeed probability, of playing for Albion in League Two again, where it all began for him, does not sit comfortably with the Brighton-born 26-year-old.

He said: “It would probably be the worst part of my CV, something I don’t want, especially here as well.

“I don’t want to go down to League Two and have to work my way back up again, I don’t think any player here does.”