Albion could be starting life next season in Division One with the Withdean capacity unchanged at just under 7,000.

Extra seating earmarked by the club to cope with demand to watch the promotion-chasing Seagulls is unlikely to be ready for the big kick-off on August 10.

The Argus revealed in October the club's plans to expand the Withdean capacity with more seats at both goal ends to cater for the possibility of First Division football.

They hope to begin the 2004-2005 season in a new stadium in Falmer but until then must make do with their temporary home.

A planning application for extra seating is being held up by a search for another suitable park and ride site.

Chief executive Martin Perry said: "We need a new park and ride site, because Mill Road is almost full.

"There are a number of options we are exploring with the Council and as soon as that and safety issues are resolved then we can submit a planning application.

"We know where and how we can install the seats. There will be some at the west end and we will try and increase the capacity at the east end as well with a bigger block, but we cannot say how many extra seats there will be until we have resolved the transportation and safety issues.

"If we can only get a small park and ride site it will limit the capacity we can go for.

"The chances are now that the seats won't be ready for the start of the season. It's just the time scale of sorting out the safety and park and ride issues and then going for a planning application."

The extra seats will be sold initially on a match-to-match basis rather than as season tickets and they will be phased in.

"Probably the right thing to do would be to apply for a certain number but not put them all in at the start," Perry said.

Albion are anxious to maximise revenue to cope with soaring costs in Division One, such as players' wages.

They would be partly offset by an additional £1.5 million the Seagulls would receive from television revenue as a First Division club over the next two years under ITV Digital's deal with the Football League.

Perry is trying to get more seats for Albion fans on Monday for the table-topping visit to leaders Reading on March 9. The initial allocation of just under 2,000 sold out within hours.

More Seagulls atuff at thisisthealbion.co.uk