Micky Adams has been given a pay rise for masterminding Albion's surge up the table.

Chairman Dick Knight and his board decided to reward Adams for the run of 16 League points out of a possible 18 which earned him the Third Division manager of the month for September.

Adams revealed: "I've had a pay rise this week. The board of directors kindly adjusted my wages, which reflects the start to the season we've had and how much they value me.

"It came as a surprise, but it's always nice if people that you work for recognise the work you have done."

Adams was presented with a magnum of champagne and set of crystal glasses by Football League sponsors Nationwide at a lunch at Topolinos restaurant in Hove yesterday.

Now he has set his sights on steering the fourth-placed Seagulls to promotion.

"There is no real success in September, the rewards are in May," Adams said.

"I want to be successful at Brighton. There was speculation about me and Millwall recently, but I'm not interested.

"I want to achieve promotion with Brighton if I can. I am not going to say that will be this season, but if it is then great."

Meanwhile, Adams refuses to be held to ransom by Peterborough over Matthew Wicks.

He has told the young central defender to forget about the uncertainty over his future and concentrate on the last match of his month's loan at Hull tomorrow night.

The Argus revealed yesterday that Peterborough boss Barry Fry is demanding £50,000 for Wicks.

"I expect Matthew to forget about the speculation about him," Adams said.

"I'll be speaking to Dick and the board and we will see where we're going. I'm not going to be held to ransom.

"We've done well for Matthew and Matthew has done more for us than we ever expected.

"All I am thinking about is Friday night. After that we've got a free week to decide where we go from there.

"There will be no problem with his personal terms. The only problem is the fee Barry Fry values him at."

Adams still rates goalkeeper Mark Cartwright "doubtful" for the Hull game because of a groin injury, but he added: "We haven't ruled him out. We are going to give him as long as we can."

Tickets details for Albion's forthcoming games have been released by the club. Turn to page 36.