Albion manager Micky Adams has blamed a mini-slump on an absence of grass.

The bad weather has been restricting the Seagulls to an artificial surface at their University of Sussex training ground.

Adams believes that has been a big factor in successive defeats at Scunthorpe in the FA Cup and Mansfield in the League last Saturday.

He said: "Over the last couple of games we have been slightly negative, because we haven't been on the grass at the training ground too many times.

"We have become a very pretty footballing side, but we're not hurting teams.

"On the Astroturf you have got to pass to feet all the time. You don't play balls in behind people, because it just runs away."

There has been more sand than grass on the Withdean pitch lately, but Stadium managers Ecovert have carried out thousands of pounds worth of repairs for tonight's visit by struggling Exeter.

Adams is likely to give Paul Brooker his first League start since Albion tonked Exeter's West Country neighbours Torquay 6-2 at Withdean at the start of September.

Brooker replaced an out-of-sorts Nathan Jones at half time at Mansfield.

Paul Watson resumed training yesterday after a neck injury and providing he suffers no reaction will make his 65th consecutive appearance at rightback.

Danny Cullip is also fit after shrugging off a nagging calf problem.

Adams added: "There have been no days off this week. We have been back to basics on the training ground and I've had a terrific response from the players.

"I am looking for the front men to be more positive in the final third."