Richard Carpenter is putting all thoughts about his future aside to focus on Albion's fight against relegation from the Championship.

Long-serving Carpenter is out of contract at the end of the season but that is the last thing on the mind of the committed midfielder as the Seagulls scrap for survival.

They are five points adrift of safety with eight games to go, beginning with today's short trip to Queens Park Rangers.

Carpenter, 33, said: "There are more important things going on at the moment on the pitch that we have got to concentrate on.

"That takes priority over my personal situation. We want to stay in this division. It's so important, we worked so hard to get here."

Carpenter has missed only one match since Christmas after recovering from a ruptured foot tendon, which kept him out for two months.

He has been guiding Albion's youngsters, in tandem with Guy Butters, after captain Charlie Oatway broke his ankle in the home win over QPR on Boxing Day which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

"I can't pay enough respect to Charlie," Carpenter said. "You appreciate what people can do when they are not there.

"Guy and myself are not as loud and vocal as Charlie, although we are experienced and set our own standards which rub off on other people.

"With Charlie it's just his natural character. He is always at the forefront, laughing and joking and giving people stick, keeping their feet on the floor to make this club the tight unit it has been over the past six years, to give that team spirit the extra edge and make us all stay together.

"The good thing about it is we are still altogether and that's what gives us the best chance. If we weren't altogether in this situation then we might as well not bother."

Meanwhile, Albert Jarrett is on his way back to Albion from a loan spell at Swindon following today's game at Colchester.

The former MK Dons winger has started only two matches in two months at Swindon, both of them defeats.

Swindon's League One rivals Bristol City are extending the loan stint of out-of-favour Albion forward Mark McCammon.

Manager Mark McGhee confirmed: "He's not been fully fit but they want to keep him."

The Seagulls are taking on seven Sussex boys and one from Kent on two-year scholarships from July 1.

See tonight's Sports Argus for full details.