Adam Virgo is back at Albion ahead of schedule after falling out with a sacked former Seagull.
The young centre half resumed training at Falmer on Monday morning, just a few hours before Neil McNab was chopped as manager of Exeter.
Virgo's three-month loan spell in the West Country was not due to expire until after today's Third Division basement battle against Bristol Rovers.
A difference of opinion with ex-Albion midfielder McNab brought his stay to a premature end.
"I don't really want to say too much, it was just a disagreement with Neil McNab," revealed Virgo.
"I missed the last three games and they don't have a reserve team league down there.
"I spoke to Bob Booker and he told me to come in on Monday. It ended on a bit of a sour note, but I am glad to be back now."
Virgo missed the Devon derby against Torquay through injury. He was then overlooked for the defeats against Kidderminster and Bournemouth which sealed McNab's fate.
McNab has been replaced by former Preston boss Gary Peters at St James Park after only four months in charge and three wins in 20 games.
"I got a phone call from one of the players on Sunday night about a rumour that he had been asked to leave," said Virgo.
"I think they lost a bit of faith in him. He was not really playing the right players in the right positions and he upset quite a few people.
"A change was coming, but I was quite surprised it happened the day after I left."
Virgo still believes he benefited from the experience and reckons his former team-mates can survive the drop out of the Football League, just like the Seagulls six years ago.
"I loved it down there," he said. "I loved the city, the people were really nice and at the end of the day I needed games, all be it in the Third Division.
"We were defending for a good 70 per cent of games, which was great experience for me.
"I felt they were looking to me, coming from a higher division club, to sort them out and I enjoyed that responsibility.
"This might sound strange, but they have actually got quite good players. They did well against us earlier in the season in the Worthington Cup."
Virgo made the last of his 15 League appearances for Albion in Steve Coppell's first match in charge, the 4-2 home defeat by Sheffield United in October.
The 20-year-old, who made his comeback in the Reserves at Colchester on Wednesday, now aims to prove to Coppell he has progressed.
"I am going to keep my head down and show the gaffer what I've learnt since I have been away," Virgo pledged. "He has explained to me I need to be louder off the ball and more dominant as a centre half."
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