The third treble of Zamora's career with the Seagulls lifted his season's tally to 31 and he has now scored an amazing 37 goals in 52 appearances overall.

He is just one short of Garry Nelson's total in Albion's previous promotion campaign in 1987-88 and five adrift of Peter Ward's all-time club record.

Scouts have been flocking to watch Zamora all season.

The 20-year-old East Londoner has been linked with a number of Premiership clubs, including Ipswich, Coventry and Sunderland, but £1.5 million from Wigan and £1.2 million from Cardiff remain the only bids Albion have received for the former Bristol Rovers marksman.

Adams said: "At the beginning of the season we took a huge gamble on him, because £100,000 is a lot for this club.

"We would have been delighted if he had got between 15 and 20 goals, so to get 31 with three games to go is a marvellous achievement.

"Our problem is going to be fighting off other clubs. I am sure top clubs will go through the correct channels and I've had no calls from any of them."

Adams recently said if it was down to him alone Zamora would not be sold at any price, but one of his team-mates fears the worst.

Charlie Oatway said: "He's a wonderful talent and I hope he goes on and does really well. It's important for the club to progress. If they have got to sell Bobby to do that and to get a ground that has nothing to do with us.

"As far as we are concerned we don't want Bobby to go anywhere. We would rather he signed a ten-year contract! That's not going to happen. We just want him to stay, but I can't see that being the case.

"As the season has gone on he has become more confident and stronger. He is trying things now that he probably wouldn't have when he first came on loan last season.

"I hope they keep coming off, because he has been wonderful for us. Even when we are not playing the best he has pulled something out of the bag."

Zamora, the match ball tucked safely away in his kit bag, continues to play a straight bat to questions about his future.

He said: "I've said all season it's up to the gaffer and the chairman. If the Premiership comes along it comes along. If not I am happy here.

"The fans have been tremendous, the lads have been tremendous and I see no reason why I would want to leave. We had a little party after getting promotion and we can have another one now just to top it all off."

If Adams' biggest problem is keeping hold of Zamora then Albion's could be hanging on to him.

Adams has been strongly linked with his old club Southampton.

But he reiterated: "I've not had any official contact from any other clubs.

"I am happy to be Brighton and Hove Albion's manager unless I am told differently."