Albion have been hit by a potential striker shortage for tomorrow's last away game of the campaign against rock-bottom Shrewsbury.

Gary Hart and Darren Freeman are both struggling to be fit for the crucial trip to Gay Meadow.

Freeman missed Wednesday's goalless home draw against promotion-chasing Peterborough with an ear infection, while Hart went off late on with a groin injury.

Hart is eager to continue a remarkable record against the Shrews. He has opened the scoring in each of the three games he has played against them.

His goals were enough to give Albion home victories in Micky Adams' first match in charge last season and at Withdean earlier this season. The young marksman was also on target in a 3-1 win at Gay Meadow last term.

"It's one of those games you don't want to miss," Hart said. "I think it's just a coincidence, but I have scored three against them and you always think you are going to score again.

"Shrewsbury are fighting for their League status, so it's going to be just as hard as it was against Peterborough.

"But we want as many points as possible to get up the League and prove we are not a mid-table team."

Scott Ramsay, who went off injured at the same time as Hart on Wednesday, is expected to be fit. Mark Walton's knee problem has eased, but Adams won't name a spare goalkeeper on the bench as cover for Mark Ormerod if Walton isn't ready.

Third-choice Will Packham is needed for a reserve game against Bristol City tomorrow, which has been switched from Sussex University to Selsey FC (1pm).

Adams has added midfielders Paul Armstrong and Danny Davis to the squad as cover for his 50th League game in charge.

The Seagulls, unbeaten for 12 matches, could have a decisive say in who goes down, as they entertain next-to-bottom Carlisle in the final fixture at Withdean a week tomorrow.

"It's great that the games we have got coming up are important," said Adams. "We did ourselves a lot of credit on Wednesday by approaching that one in the right manner and this one is a big game for us as well. Shrewsbury will get no favours from us."

Shrewsbury (from): Dunbavin; Seabury, Hughes, Tretton, Hanmer, Berkley, Wilding, Peer, Jagielka, Brown, Steele, Davidson, Tolley, Rodgers, Thomas, Edwards, Murray, Herbert.

Albion (from): Ormerod; Walton; Watson, Brooker, Thomas, Rogers, Hart, Oatway, Ramsay, Mayo, Crosby, Cullip, Carr, McPherson, Ling, Campbell, Aspinall, Freeman, Armstrong, D. Davis.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.