Albion boss Micky Adams believes the Second Division promotion race will go right down to the wire.

Two automatic places and four play-off spots are up for grabs and Adams does not expect some of the issues to be settled until the final day of the season.

The top of the table is already heavily congested. Just three points separate ten teams, with the Seagulls behind only Brentford and Oldham on goal difference.

The lead could change hands again tonight. Danny Wilson's Bristol City are poised to overtake Oldham if they beat Cardiff at Ashton Gate.

Albion ran away with the Third Division last season. Cardiff and Chesterfield were also clear of the pack, but Adams is not envisaging a repeat.

"I think it is going to be one of those years where every team has a chance of beating any other in the League on their day," he said. "We lost to Brentford on Friday, but we are only down to third.

"I think teams tend to break away more in the Third Division. In the Second there is nearly always a group.

"Somebody will break away eventually by putting three or four results together, but I would be surprised if things are decided before the last game of the season."

Albion have an early injury worry for Saturday's trip to Huddersfield, who are two points adrift of the Seagulls in seventh.

Danny Cullip is struggling with a recurrence of ankle trouble after surgery in the summer.

"He has been complaining about it on and off and he is going to have an X-ray," Adams revealed. "I am not sure at this stage how much training he will miss this week or how it will affect his chances of playing on Saturday."

Midfielder Steve Melton has recovered from a groin injury. He resumed training yesterday at Albion's new temporary base, Christ's Hospital School in Horsham, and could make his comeback in the reserves against Bournemouth at Lymington and New Milton FC tomorrow (2.00).

Meanwhile, Albion are confronting another club versus country dilemma. Former boss Brian Horton brings Port Vale to Withdean on November 10, the same day as England launch their World Cup warm-up programme against Sweden at Old Trafford.

The Seagulls have lost both League matches moved to a Friday night to avoid a clash with Sven Goran Eriksson's heroes, against Northampton and Brentford.

Chief executive Martin Perry said: "I am not terribly keen on changing it now! We'll have a look at it, but a friendly is a lot less important than the two games we did switch."

Albion's next home match against Oldham on Saturday week is already another sell-out.