Don't expect us to fizz just yet. That's the mesage for Albion fans from boss Micky Adams as his men kick-off their Irish tour tonight.

The Seagulls are in the rural heartland of the Emerald Isle to take on newly promoted Longford Town (7.30) in the first of three games across the water.

Adams will not be disappointed if they fail to really sparkle against a side fresh from their best ever league season.

Albion produced a low key display as they beat hard-working Worthing 1-0 in Friday night's opening run out of pre-season.

In the land where the black stuff is lovingly served up at all hours, the Seagulls boss will be looking for the on-field genius to flow at a similarly mea-sured pace over the next five days.

He said: "It's like opening a bottle of pop. If you shake it up too much in one go it spurts out too soon, and we don't want that.

"We want to open it up nice and gently so there are things to work on over the next four or five weeks.

"That the beauty of pre-season. I don't expect us to play brilliant, flowing football straight away."

Albion arrived in Ireland on Saturday and trained.

They were due for a morning workout at their Ballygar base today before taking on Longford and Adams insisted: "It's a tough schedule. This trip will be no picnic for the players."

Strikers Darren Freeman and Gary Hart have stayed at home. Hart has been granted paternity leave while Adams reported a groin strain for Freeman and added: "We don't want to risk him in Ireland."

That could mean a real chance to impress for young striker Matt Russell, one of two trialists on the trip.

Russell, who played in the County League for Horsham YMCA last season, started up front alongside Scott Ramsay in Friday's 1-0 win at Worthing and has been invited on the Irish expedition, along with Nottingham Forest play-maker Steve Melton.

Adams said: "Both of them showed glimpses of what they can do in 45 minutes at Worthing. They didn't disgrace themselves and I am sure they will show up well."

New striker Lee Steele will look for an extended chance to shine.

Defender Darren Carr is also on the trip after a minor back strain forced him out on Friday's match at Woodside Road.