STUART Storer faces a fight to be fit for Albion's home match against his old club Exeter on Saturday.

The Seagulls stalwart missed Friday night's 2-2 draw at Swansea with a groin injury sustained in training.

"I just went to pass the ball when I felt a pain in my groin," said Storer. "It was enough to keep me out on Friday, but I am hoping to be available against Exeter.

"It's not serious, but it has come along at a bad time for me. I felt like I was just making a fresh start."

Storer, signed from Exeter for £15,000 by former boss Liam Brady four years ago, has been plagued by injury problems this season.

But he has been given a new lease of life by the departure of Brian Horton and the appointment of Jeff Wood.

The 32-year-old wide man was in the starting line-up for Wood's two matches in caretaker charge against Scarborough and Peterborough.

"I've got no idea why Brian didn't pick me," added Storer. "I always try to do my best.

"It's a funny old game because I've been in other situations where managers have liked me and left, then I have found it difficult to win the new manager over."

Albion are still seventh, in the play-off zone and two points away from the automatic promotion places, after Saturday's results.

Former Albion favourite Ian Chapman and Bradford City's 21-year-old Welsh centre forward Lawrence Davies make their second appearances in the reserves against Arsenal at Boreham Wood FC today (2.0).

Youngsters Matt Ottley and Duncan McArthur are also in the line-up as Wood begins a policy of blooding youth team players in the reserves.

Albion Reserves: Ormerod; Smith, Chapman, Ottley, Browne, Hobson, Ansah, McArthur, Moralee, Davies, Ryan.

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