JEFF Minton has moved a step closer to pledging his future to Albion.

The sidelined midfield star is mulling over a new contract offer from chairman Dick Knight.

Minton revealed: "My gut feeling is that I will be a Brighton player next season.

"I have spoken to the chairman, he has made me an offer and I have got to get back to him.

"What I would really like to do is wait until the end of the season, but I might even sign before that. I haven't really made up my mind."

Minton, 25, has missed ten matches since damaging ankle ligaments at Chester on January 15.

He will make his long awaited comeback in next Saturday's home game against Barnet.

"The plan is to have a run-out in the Reserves at Southampton on Wednesday," he said.

"I need a game in the Reserves first because I have only trained properly for two days in the last eight weeks, but I will definitely be fit for next Saturday."

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