Albion boss Steve Coppell wants his troops to launch a March for safety at home specialists Gillingham tomorrow.

The trip to the Priestfield Stadium kicks off a key month which Coppell believes could be the making of the Seagulls' fight for First Division survival.

Albion go to fellow strugglers Stoke next Wednesday, followed by matches against four teams in the top ten.

They entertain Rotherham and Nottingham Forest, then visit Sheffield United and Ipswich before rounding off a hectic March at home to Crystal Palace.

Coppell said: "From Saturday onwards we have seven games in 25 days. If we were one of the First Division teams playing each other in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup it would be put on a pedestal almost, but each and every one of our games in isolation are more important than that.

"Because of that and the tightness of the fixtures it will be the ultimate test of the depth and quality of the squad.

"It's not make or break, because whatever happens after March we will still have six games to go, but we can make ourselves safer this month. You look at the games and think they are difficult, but we are improving."

Gillingham's unbeaten eight-match run at home has included victory over second-placed Leicester and an FA Cup draw with Leeds.

"They are like Burnley in many ways, a hard-nosed First Division team," Coppell said. "You have to earn everything against them. It's going to be a charged game with a lot at stake for both sides."

The Priestfield pitch is in poor condition but that doesn't bother Kent-born former Gills midfielder Richard Carpenter as Albion bid to build on a hat-trick of wins.

"It's unusual for a Gillingham pitch," Carpenter said. "All the time I was there it was always getting voted one of the best in the division. We can't use that as an excuse, we've just got to go there and match them. It's the same for both sides. It's going to be a very tough game but we want to keep this run going."

Robbie Pethick's back is still sore, so he is unlikely to be on the bench. Injury-plagued Paul Kitson returned from illness yesterday and could be among the substitutes as cover for Graham Barrett and Anthony Rougier, in the absence of the banned Bobby Zamora and Gary Hart.

Coppell has dismissed rumours about Preston renewing their interest in Barrett after the on-loan Arsenal front man rejected a permanent move to Deepdale.

The trip to Reading has been brought forward to Friday April 4 (8pm) for live coverage on Sky TV.* Match preview at thisisthealbion.co.uk