Albion are ready to give their young front runners a taste of the opening night limelight as they step up preparations for life in Division One.

The Seagulls head to Woodside Road tomorrow (7.30) for their traditional pre-season opener with Ryman League side Worthing.

They do so without the injured attacking pair of Bobby Zamora and Gary Hart which opens up opportunities for youthful Chris McPhee and Danny Marney to impress.

A crowd expected to top the 2,000 mark will see stand-in boss Bob Booker give his full squad a run out as they kick-off a busy week of friendly action.

Booker said: "Everybody trained on Saturday. We had a little practice game which everybody came through okay.

"We have not picked teams yet for Worthing but it doesn't take Einstein to work it out. All the pros will get a go."

Booker admits he is fed up of talking about his own situation in temporary command.

He said: "We are getting on with our work. Nothing surprises me in this game."

Albion made no comment regarding their manager's position over the weekend but one well known South Coast boss admitted he would not be surprised to see the current incumbence still in charge when the League season starts.

The Seagulls renew their rivalry with Portsmouth at Fratton Park on August 31.

Pompey boss Harry Redknapp, in Sussex on Saturday to see his team's pre-season over Bognor, told The Argus: "They've got two good lads there at the moment in Bob Booker and Martin Hinchelwood so may be they will get the job."

The Albion are now also due to visit Bognor for a friendly, taking place next Monday night.

Before that they have trips to Sutton on Friday and what should be a well attended affair at Dr Martens League high-flyers Crawley Town next Saturday.

Coventry City, Albion's first opponents at Withdean on August 13, have been given a boost with the news that Magnus Hedman, Sweden's World Cup goalkeeper, looks set to pledge his future to the club.