ALBION playmaker Jeff Minton is ready to return to first team action.

The Seagulls' nine-goal midfielder expects to be fit to face Exeter at the Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.

Minton has missed the last three matches after hurting his right ankle at Chester four weeks ago.

"I thought at first I had just turned it over and sprained it, but there was a little bit of ligament damage," he revealed. "I've trained this week and it's not too bad.

"I'm still about 70 to 80 per cent at the moment because I can't really drive the ball, but hopefully that will get better.

"Sprinting, turning and everything else is all right, although I would have to play with a heavy strapping."

Minton's recovery is a big boost to Albion as they press for promotion, even though they have done well without him.

The influential 25-year-old's absence coincided with the departure of Brian Horton to Port Vale and the appointment of Jeff Wood first as caretaker and now manager for the rest of the season.

"I was sad to see Brian go because I got on really well with him," said Minton. "But it's not as if a new manager has come in and you have got to get to know him.

"Woody will continue in the same vein, so it's not too much of a problem.

"They have won two and drawn one since I've been out, so the boys have done brilliantly."

Former Albion favourite Ian Chapman makes his third appearance in the reserves in today's rearranged Combination game at Millwall (2.0).

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