Albion's man of the moment Matthew Wicks can become a valuable asset if Micky Adams shows faith in him.

Wicks' dad Steve believes his son just needs some stability to realise the potential which once had Manchester United and Arsenal scrapping over his signature.

Wicks senior takes a close interest in Matt's career. The former Crawley boss was at Withdean again last Saturday to watch the young central defender nod his second goal in three games in the 3-0 destruction of Cheltenham.

"I've seen him in more or less every game for Brighton," Steve said. "The team are doing well and the most noticeable thing is the spirit.

"They all fought for each other against Cheltenham, won the battle and then went on to win the game. I was very impressed."

Steve speaks from years of experience in the game as a player, manager and agent.

He was a no-nonsense centre-half for Chelsea, Derby, Queens Park Rangers and Crystal Palace, gaining England B and under-21 honours.

The 43-year-old's managerial career included an eventful nine months in charge of Crawley in 1992 and a similar spell as assistant to former Albion midfielder John Gregory at Portsmouth.

He has also acted on behalf of a number of top players, such as Tony Dorigo, Gordon Durie, Robert Fleck and Darren Anderton.

Matthew looked like upstaging his father when, as a schoolboy, Man United were found guilty by the FA of poaching him from Arsenal.

He was homesick at Old Trafford and ended up back at Highbury as an apprentice, but it has been all downhill since then.

The Seagulls' loan signing moved to Crewe before joining current club Peterborough on a free transfer 18 months ago.

Steve said: "He was at the FA's School of Excellence at Lilleshall. When you went there they treated you so well and so specially that it takes you a long time to adjust to being at the bottom of the football ladder.

"He was playing for the England youth team and doing really well, then he went to Manchester United and didn't really settle.

"Then he went to Arsenal and there was this tug-of-war thing. I think when he went back they resented the fact that he had chosen Manchester United in the first place.

"He played very well for Crewe in the games he played but was left out after they drew 1-1 at Bristol City. All he needs is someone to back him and he will grow, because everything is there.

"I suppose I've got a biased view, but I know it's there. Who ever backs him and shows a bit of faith in him will get a good player. He certainly can be for Brighton."

Matt is not quite a chip off the old block. His header against Cheltenham followed a similar effort at Cardiff, not bad for somebody whose main job is supposed to be stopping the opposition scoring.

Steve joked: "He must get that from his mother. He's always capable of that. It's just a question of fulfilling his potential.

"It means a lot to me that the Brighton crowd have taken to him and the players seem to have taken to him as well."

Steve was an archetypal centre-half in his playing days, noted more for his bravery than ability.

Matt is more in the mould of a modern-day central defender, despite a blood-splattered debut for Albion against Torquay when he suffered a head wound.

Is he as courageous as his old man? Steve smiled: "That's for you to say. People have said in the past he lacks aggression, but I think as you grow and get older the aggression comes.

"Against Cheltenham it was a battle and he was there challenging and competing. I was very pleased with him without the goal. That was a lovely bonus."

Matt has three more matches left to persuade Adams he is worth a permanent deal, starting with Saturday's trip to York.

"Now he has got this opportunity I think he realises if he wants to stay in football how important it is to give everything.

"He's a got quite a bit of pace for a big man and that's becoming vital in football nowadays.

"He has a little bit of everything. If it can be coaxed out I think he can go on and do very well."