Beneath that ultra-cool exterior, Bobby Zamora's burning desire to score goals will reach boiling point against Norwich at Withdean on Saturday.

Nobody will be keener to knock the Canaries off their perch than Albion's prolific marksman.

Extra motivation will be derived from the big mistake the East Anglian club made when Zamora was a kid, desperate to achieve his ambition of becoming a professional footballer.

They turned away the Seagulls' star, now a wiry 6ft 1ins, because he was too small.

The rejection, coming as it did straight after Zamora lost half-a-year due to a serious knee condition, could have killed off the career of somebody less determined.

"I had Osgood Schlatter's and was out for six months," Zamora said. "Norwich were on the phone every week asking me to come down and have a trial.

"I went there when I was 15 and I was there for almost a season. I can't remember who actually decided I was too short, but I would remember his face.

"It was a bit of a blow, but I thought I would get an apprenticeship somewhere else. I went to Southend and Bristol Rovers. They both offered me an apprenticeship and I chose Bristol."

Norwich's decision was more shattering for modest Zamora, a master of under-statement, than he makes out.

His mum Linda revealed: "That was hard for him, but he has bounced back and done really well.

"Bristol Rovers gave him his chance really. When Norwich knocked him back it was a case of looking for a club and they were very good for him. They rated him quite highly, but obviously not highly enough!"

Former Albion forward Sammy Morgan, now Norwich's Academy Director, recalls Zamora's spell at Carrow Road.

"He played out on the left wing and he certainly wasn't the player he is now," Morgan said. "There was a feeling that he might be a late developer, but we had to make a decision then and he was released.

"Finances were also very tight at the time which meant we couldn't take on as many boys as we would have liked.

"In these sort of situations a crystal ball would be handy. As far as Bobby is concerned we've just got to put our hands up and say we missed out.

"Occasionally players are going to slip through the net and you've just got to accept it and get on with the job.

"If boys get released here and then make the grade somewhere else we're obviously disappointed, but we're also genuinely pleased for them.

"We want the lads to do well and it's great to see Bobby making a name for himself.

"I've never heard him taking a swipe at us for letting him go. I think he realised why he was released and all credit to him for bouncing back at Bristol Rovers and Brighton."

Meanwhile, Nathan Jones has called on the rest of the Albion players, himself included, to take some of the scoring burden this season off his big pal Zamora.

Lee Steele was the only other player to reach double figures last term with ten in all competitions and he has left for Oxford. Next-best was dead ball specialist Paul Watson on five.

Jones netted twice last season, at Wycombe in September and Blackpool in December.

He hit form early the previous year with four goals in six games, including his only two at Withdean so far in the same match against Torquay.

The 29-year-old Welshman opened Albion's pre-season account this time around at Worthing before missing several warm-up matches plus the games against Burnley and Coventry with a knee injury.

"We have geared ourselves to Bobby getting goals, but with him injured during pre-season everyone chipped in," Jones said.

"The goals came more from midfielders and defenders. Everyone needs to chip in and my goal record could be better to be honest, but if we keep on getting results it doesn't really matter."

Robbie Pethick and Shaun Wilkinson led the way in the friendlies with five and four respectively. Daniel Marney notched three and Jones, David Lee and Paul Brooker one each.

The encouraging pattern continued at Burnley last Saturday, when Steve Melton and Brooker joined Zamora on the scoresheet.

They and the other squad members will all be giving it their best shot throughout the season proper for new boss Martin Hinshelwood.

"It's a good appointment," Jones said. "The gaffer has the respect of all the players.

"I get the impression with a lot of internal appointments that they don't have the same level of respect which the gaffer has here.

"No one ever messes about with him. That is the type of squad we are. Everyone will be working 100 per cent for him.

"He is as enthusiastic and ambitious as we are as players. With Bob Booker alongside him as well it's familiarity but also a step in the right direction."

Jones, signed by Micky Adams from Southend two years ago after a spell in Spain, has committed his future to the Seagulls to the end of season 2003-2004.

"My old contract was up in the summer and negotiations were ongoing for quite a long time, but I wouldn't want to play at the moment for any other club," he said.

"Obviously if a big club came in that's different, but I am realistic. Brighton is a lovely place to be. I've just bought a new flat down here, I've got a great life and I am just happy to be here."

Live matchday coverage of Albion v Norwich this Saturday at thisisthealbion.co.uk