ALBION manager Micky Adams is preparing for a massive end of season clearout.

A huge number of players will be released next month as he rebuilds the squad for next season, when the Seagulls come home to Withdean.

Adams inherited 29 professionals when he took charge earlier this month.

Phil King and Lawrence Davies have already left and 17 of the remaining 27 players are out of contract at the close of the current campaign.

"I would think a squad of 20 will be adequate, or maybe even less than that," said Adams. "It all depends on how much it costs to bring certain targets into the club.

"Eighteen to 20 is what we will run on next season, because we will be concentrating more on quality rather than quantity."

Adams has handed six of Albion's teenage prospects a chance to prove themselves to him at senior level, without limiting his spending power.

Will Packham, Danny Davis, Duncan McArthur, Scott Ramsay and Ben Andrews will all be with the Seagulls for the whole of next season, while injury-plagued Neil Winter has been given three months to impress.

"It sends out the right signals to everybody," added Adams. "Although we want to do well with more experience in the team we are quite willing to give youth a chance.

"Dick Knight and the Board were keen to stress that to me when I arrived.

"Taking on these youngsters won't affect my budget in any way in terms of bringing people in, which is an important factor."

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