Brighton have no fears about playing two of the toughest games of the season without Egyptian twosome Mohamed Samak and Mohamed Nagay.

The two internationals nicknamed Fish and Chips have been inspirational for Carlo Missirian's side since joining the club but are waiting for visas before they can return and are unlikely to be back for tomorrow's clash with fourth placed Herne Bay, or the crunch encounter with Holcombe the following week.

Missirian is shrugging off their absence, his confidence further boosted by last Saturday's 6-0 win over Crawley which took them to the summit of the table for the first time this season and forced Holcombe into second.

The captain said: "They could be back in the next couple of weeks but I am not unduly worried because of the way the team is playing.

"Their absence in a way has brought the team even closer together and people put in a lot of hard work over the Christmas period."

He added: "The destination of the title is now in our hands. Herne Bay are not going to be a pushover, they have drawn twice with Holcombe, but there are no pushovers in this league.

"Crawley have improved a lot since we last played them but we are just playing well.

"The next two games are crucial and if we can pick up six points then we have a good chance. If we can get four points, with one coming off Holcombe, and then get the Egyptians back, then we will be in a very strong position.

"However, there are ten games to go and I don't think anyone in our team is thinking about winning the title. We are just pleased it is now in our own hands for the first time."

Brighton have completed the signing of Zimbawean Elvis Brown to further boost the side and he played up front in the win over Crawley. Defender/midfielder Richard Baker returns for tomorrow's trip to Herne Bay.

Horsham will be anxious to put an embarrassing 6-2 defeat against Ashford behind them when they have an even tougher examination in prospect at Blackheath.

Goalkeeper Neil Burlinson was critical of his team-mates' defeatist attitude prior to the Ashford loss as they returned from their period of inactivity over the Christmas break.

He was also a little surprised with his skipper Mark Ansell's generosity as a third Horsham 'goal' was chalked off after the final whistle.

Burlinson said: "At the end of the match we scored a third goal with a shot driven through the D which probably did not touch any of our players. The umpires gave a goal but after the game our captain thought it a little unfair and told the officials to send the result in as 6-2.

"After the way we played, I hope we don't start slipping down the table and goal difference becomes an issue."

There are changes from last Saturday's defeated side tomorrow with Richard Lowe taking over the captain's role from Ansell, who is out. James Beer, Will Wassell and Andy Farqhuar also come into the squad.

Crawley hope to include new South African duo Pete Waller and Steve Curd for their home match with Folkestone.

The pair, who have both played national level in their homeland, are hoping to receive clearance.

Worthing will be without their skipper Simon Holloway for the visit of Mid Sussex as he has won a trip to Paris, so maybe his luck is changing even if his side's is not. James Godber is back for the derby.

Holloway said: "We are just not getting the rub of the green at the moment."

Chichester: Jones, Pywell, Dunn, Turner, Pendle, Stremes, Dougal, S. Beer, A. Beer, Lane-Smith, Savory, Lock.

Brighton: Ashdown, Meldew, Shirley, Baker, Turnball, Acott, Pruce, Missirian, Warringer, Love, Delea, Brown, Hacking.

Crawley: Thornton, Peach, Butterfield, Frimley, Marriott, Higgs, Westwood, Rai, Butcher, Shuttleworth, Hardwick, Anguige, Waller, S.Curd.

Mid Sussex: Purdie, Green, Musson, Toomer, Fitzpatrick, Jourdain, Hobden, Humphries, Dovey, Middleton, Newton, Goodwin.

Horsham: Burlinson, Simms, A. Beer, Ford, Charlesworth, Atkinson, J. Beer, Wassell, Farqhuar, Blakeley, Low, Brown.

Worthing: Godsmark, Jarrett-Kerr, J. Godber, Martin, Fuller, Edmondson, Massie, Ansell, Clayton, Allen, Duncan. Subs: tba.

Tomorrow's fixtures - Southern Premier: Chichester v Purley Walcountians.

Kent/Sussex Regional League: Blackheath v Horsham, Crawley v Folkestone, Herne Bay v Brighton & Hove, Worthing v Mid Sussex.

Kent/Sussex Division One: Eastbourne v Crowborough.