FORMER Albion captain Gary Hobson has joined the Football League's bottom club Chester on a month's loan.

He trains with his new team-mates today and is likely to make his debut against Darlington at the Deva Stadium tomorrow.

Hobson's temporary move back north follows the appointment yesterday of ex-Northampton boss Ian Atkins as Chester's director of football.

The 27-year-old, signed by Jimmy Case from his home town club Hull for £60,000 in March 1996, has failed to command a regular first team spot since Micky Adams took charge of the Seagulls in April and rebuilt the squad.

Competition for places in the centre of defence has been especially fierce and Hobson has been restricted to 11 appearances this season, the last of them against tomorrow's opponents Rochdale last month.

Hobson, out of contract in the summer, was due to have a minor operation yesterday on an elbow injury, but that has now been put on hold.

Adams said: "Jamie Campbell is free from suspension, Darren Carr is fully fit and the Reserves' game was called off this week, so he might as well go and play some football."

The Seagulls seek revenge at Spotland tomorrow for a 4-3 defeat at Withdean four weeks ago, which prompted calls for Adams to quit from a small section of fans.

Confidence has been well and truly restored by a draw against former table-toppers Barnet and back-to-back wins over new leaders Rotherham and Exeter.

Adams declared: "We don't fear anybody at the moment. Bring them on!

"The Rochdale defeat was probably the lowest point of the season, particularly for me, but we have won two on the trot and we are looking to make it three.

"We certainly owe them one!"

Campbell, dropped and then banned after he was sent-off at Swansea four games ago, is added to the squad, but Albion are expected to be unchanged.

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