Albion have turned to former top boxer Scott Welch to put some punch into their bid for an immediate return to the Championship.

He will be working with ten of the relegated Seagulls' young stars throughout May to prepare them for the bruising battle they face in League One next season.

Welch, who fought for the WBO world heavyweight title, will teach players like Joel Lynch and Joe Gatting how to spar against each other during sessions at his Hove gym.

Manager Mark McGhee enlisted his help after watching an amateur boxing show attended by Mike Tyson and co-promoted by Welch at Effingham Park, Copthorne, last month.

McGhee said: "I've been looking for something to do with our boys in May and when I went to the show it struck me that maybe it would be a good thing.

"There were a lot of young boxers fighting and you see their mental strength and their attitude. I thought it might be good for our boys to experience something like that.

"Don't get me wrong, they are not going to be beaten up. Scott is going to put a couple of his boys in the ring to show them what sparring is all about and then take them through a month-long programme of work, including a lot of padwork for the upper body.

"The plan then at the end of the month is to match them up weight-wise and for them to have a couple of sparring sessions against each other.

"The idea is to enhance their physical development in conjunction with a weights programme they will be doing right through the summer and during next season.

"They will also be doing a lot of running with Scott. I am hoping working in a different environment will bring them on mentally as well."

Albion, relegated by Monday's home defeat against Sheffield Wednesday, finish at home to Stoke a week tomorrow after today's final away fixture at Wolves.

The players will be reporting back for pre-season training earlier than normal on June 28.