Albion boss Steve Coppell has warned the mini-revival means nothing.

The Seagulls are breathing down the necks of their fellow strugglers after seven points out of the last nine.

They launch a testing programme of pre-Christmas fixtures at Preston tomorrow and Coppell insists they are a long way from turning the corner.

"I'm happier, not happy," he said. "The task is still set out before us. There is still a massive amount to be done.

"I hope we have just laid a few foundation stones for better performances and more points in the remaining 29 games.

"While we are bottom of the table we are a long way from achieving what we want to achieve. Recent results have been okay, but we are coming into a very difficult spell now.

"Of the next six games four of them are away from home, so it's very important we accumulate points from that batch of games to set us up nicely going into Christmas."

Albion play their two matches in hand at Nottingham Forest next Wednesday and at home to Ipswich 13 days later. They also face trips to Derby and relegation rivals Sheffield Wednesday, plus Reading at Withdean prior to the festive period.

Coppell is keen to build on the creditable 1-1 draw in the last away outing at Wolves. That was the first point on the road since the opening day and it followed the capitulation at Crystal Palace.

"I just hope we can put in a really solid away performance, because that is the next stage in our rehabilitation," he said. "We need to be competitive away from home where our record has been fragile. We got a point at Wolves, but the previous game wasn't good so we need to improve.

"Preston have been in the First Division a good number of years now, so they know what they are doing and they have some exciting players. I'm sure they will be looking at us as an opportunity to win three points."

Coppell is 'on edge' about Albion's injury problems. He expects Dean Blackwell to return from hamstring trouble, but Graham Barrett (knee) looks certain to miss out and Danny Cullip has picked up a shoulder knock.

The anticipated absence of Barrett increases the probability of Bobby Zamora playing, despite his multiple injury worries.

Richard Carpenter will not have to contend with Sean Gregan following the former Preston captain's move to West Brom, but the ever-present Albion midfielder said: "It's another tough game for us.

"They are not doing well as they would probably expect and we are on a bit of a streak. We have got to take the game to them early on and stamp our authority. I think that's important going up there."