Nottingham Forest are not expected to stand in the way of their reserve team coach and Knight is aiming to wrap up the deal by early next week.

"I am trying to get him in place for Tuesday and I shall be burning a lot of midnight oil over the weekend," he said. "Martin Hinshelwood is in charge of the team at Plymouth and that will not change.

"Nothing is going to happen until Monday at the earliest in terms of finalising things. I am only just beginning to open discussions."

The Argus exclusively revealed yesterday that Adams is the man Albion have lined up to succeed the sacked Jeff Wood.

The 37-year-old steered Fulham to promotion from the Third Division two seasons ago after ending his playing career at Craven Cottage,

"He is a young manager with a bit of a track record and somebody I am looking for long term," added Knight. "I am speaking with him and his club. That is the correct procedure. I could not approach him until after Jeff was released."

Adams would bring Alan Cork to Albion as his assistant. The former Wimbledon forward filled that role alongside him at Fulham and Swansea and is currently in charge of Ryman League Chesham.

If all goes to plan Adams will kick-off his reign at Gillinghan's Priestfield Stadium, where he started his playing career. He was with the Seagulls' landlords for four years and also had spells with Coventry, Leeds, Southampton and Stoke.

Dave Bassett took him to Forest from Brentford as his No. 2, but Adams' job title changed when Ron Atkinson assumed control at the City Ground.

Bassett told the Argus: "I am confident he will do a good job. I rate Mickey highly. He is firm but fair, a determined fella who knows what he wants, and a good coach."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.