Albion are poised to pocket more than £500,000 if they return to the First Division via the play-offs.

That is the enormous financial enticement for the cash-strapped Seagulls as they prepare for Sunday's semi-final first leg at Swindon.

The potential windfall follows last week's announcement by the club of a crippling £891,000 loss for the year ending June 2003, when they were relegated from Division One.

Chief executive Martin Perry said: "Being in the play-offs is a huge benefit to us. Every little bit helps.

"Tickets are selling thick and fast for Swindon. The second leg at Withdean will be a sell-out and should we be fortunate enough to get through it is all going to help. It's very important to us."

Albion benefit financially from Bristol City's involvement in the play-offs, because of their big attendances.

Half of the money from the semi-finals is pooled for all Second Division clubs, with the other half split between the four competing teams.

Both legs against Swindon are being televised by Sky, earning the Seagulls another £40,000, but the real bonanza is for reaching the final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on May 30.

That could be worth, together with merchandising spin-offs, another £400,000.

Midfielder Richard Carpenter, a certain starter at Swindon, is expected to resume training today after missing the Wrexham game to rest a knee problem.