Brighton and Hove Albion boss Steve Coppell has hailed Micky Adams as the saviour of the Seagulls.

Coppell believes the Leicester chief is assured a warm welcome from fans before tonight's sell-out against the Foxes.

Adams left for Leicester 14 months ago after steering Albion to the Third Division title and third place in Division Two.

Coppell said: "He was without doubt the catalyst from the wilderness years for Albion, when they were in the lower reaches of the Third Division and fighting for survival. He organised a team with limited resources and got them playing in such a way that they were successful.

"I personally have got great respect for him as a manager appreciating what a fellow manager does and I know the Albion public have got him very much in their hearts. I am sure he will get a great reception."

Seven of Adams' signings are expected to feature in Albion's starting line-up including Paul Watson, who missed last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Derby through suspension.

Said Coppell: "It is just another game for me because I don't have the connection, but I always found when I played in front of my ex-managers I wanted to do well for no other reason than to prove I was a good player standing alone.

"You appreciate the fact that the previous manager might have bought you, given you an opportunity or had confidence in you, but when he is not there you want to prove you are a good player by yourself."

Tonight's showdown kicks off the second half of Albion's fight for First Division survival.

A repeat of the 2-1 victory for Coppell's Brentford in Adams' last match in charge at Withdean would ease the Seagulls out of the relegation zone for the first time since the end of August.

Richard Carpenter, signed by Adams from Cardiff and before that for Fulham from Gillingham, said: "It's going to be hard. He has got a good, organised bunch of players up there at the moment and they are doing really well.

"He gets you working for each other, respecting each other and respecting the manager. If you have got those ingredients you can't go far wrong.

"We are going to be working doubly hard to get the result we need. Micky's gone now and we have got to concentrate on ourselves. We are in this position and it's only us that can get ourselves out of it."

Steve Melton has completed his free transfer to Hull City.

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