Albion have been given a double boost ahead of their basement battle at Crewe with the return to fitness of Richard Carpenter and Seb Carole.

Both are on course to start tomorrow's crunch clash at the Alexandra Stadium after recovering from injuries.

Carpenter pulled out of last Saturday's home defeat by Watford during the warm-up because of a calf problem.

Carole missed the previous match at Norwich with ankle trouble which flared up again in the Watford game.

The pair came through a training session on the artificial pitch at Waterhall yesterday, to the relief of manager Mark McGhee.

Although stopping short of labelling tomorrow's match a must-win, McGhee knows Albion can ill-afford a seventh straight away defeat.

He likens the task to the Seagulls' final away game last season at already relegated Rotherham, which they won 1-0 on their way to safety.

McGhee has been using the fear of failure to motivate his players, in much the same way as minds were concentrated by the thought of defeat before the play-off final triumph against Bristol City two seasons ago.

"Psychologically it's a big game," McGhee said. "I've said to the boys they have got to approach it almost with a play-off mentality.

"Going into the Bristol City game everyone was bricking themselves that we were going to lose.

"We've got to be in that frame of mind.

"I always say we shouldn't be afraid to lose but for once we can gain a bit of an edge by being aware we don't want to lose this game."

Carpenter rejoins Dean Hammond in the middle of midfield tomorrow, with Carole up front or on the right flank.

The suspended Paul McShane's position at centre half and the rightback role will be occupied, one way or another, by Adam El-Abd and Adam Hinshelwood.