Albion captain Danny Cullip has thrown his weight behind the 'Steve Must Stay' campaign.

Cullip says the players would love Steve Coppell to still be in charge next season and believes managerial stability is "very important" to the future of the Seagulls.

Coppell was given a one-year contract when he took over from Martin Hinshelwood in October, which effectively only takes him through to the end of the season.

Last Thursday we urged chairman Dick Knight to offer Coppell a much longer contract immediately.

The call has been welcomed by fans, encouraged by the way Coppell has steered Albion from the foot of the First Division following ten straight defeats to fourth-bottom after a hat-trick of victories.

Now Cullip has revealed the high regard the players have for the former Manchester United winger.

"I know the players would love him to stay," said the skipper. "We don't know what the situation is so we can't really say anything about that, but you only have to look at how he has done.

"He's very good. He looks into things very deeply and thoroughly. We are doing different things, like watching a video of the opposition team the day before a game.

"He does does his homework and it's really good the way he goes about things. I'm really enjoying it and I know a lot of the other boys are.

"It's very, very important he stays. I don't know who it is down to, but you just have to see the impact he's had since he came. I think he's been different class."

Coppell is Albion's seventh manager during a five-year rise up two divisions. Hinshelwood, Steve Gritt and Jeff Wood were axed, Peter Taylor resigned while Micky Adams and Brian Horton left for Leicester and Port Vale respectively.

"It's the first time since I've been here that the manager has changed when we have been struggling," said Cullip. "He has stamped his authority and method of playing and it's looking good.

"You look at half the team here. We have come from different clubs because we haven't been fancied. Now we are showing people we can play."

Adam Virgo, back a week early from a loan spell at Exeter, and Robbie Pethick are scheduled to play in the reserves at Colchester tomorrow (2.0).

Pethick resumed training yesterday after missing the last two matches with a back injury.

More from the camp at thisisthealbion.co.uk