Brian Horton expects to have a few questions to answer when he watches two of his clubs at the Etihad.

One will come from Tony Bloom and will be echoed by top figures from Manchester City.

But other questions will arise from his revelation today that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Albion’s promotion-winning skipper from 1979 – and former manager of both City and the Seagulls – starts radiotherapy later this year.

He is feeling fit and strong, upbeat and positive, and is glad to have caught the disease early.

But he expects a few people he sees at the Etihad will be taken aback.

He said: “It will probably shock people because I go to every home game and I do things for the club but I don’t look like I’m ill.

“I’m like I’ve always been. I’m 74 and I feel as fit as a fiddle.

“I’m going to lots of games. I can choose when I go in holiday now. I don’t have to work around football.

“I can’t do as much exercise as I want. I had a new knee a couple of years ago and I’ve had a disc come out of my back, so I have to be careful.

“But I go to the gym. My wife tries to push me to go more.

“I try to keep fit. I’m as light now as I’ve been for a long time and I feel very good in myself.

“Although cancer had been in the family, you don’t ever think it’s going to happen to you so it’s a bit of a shock.

“But I’ve told my family what I’m doing and how I feel and it has sort of pacified them, if that’s the right word.”

In his announcement today, Horton reveals how he was encouraged to take a medical by Steve Parkin, who is now a coach at Wrexham but was previously a management colleague at Hull City.

The medicals are part of the service provided by the LMA under the guidance of Richard Bevan and Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive, Laura Kerby.

This one was carried out by Dr Sally Harris.

Horton said: “She asked me about my background and was there cancer in the family and she said she thought I needed to go for a test.

“She arranged for me to go to a hospital in Stockport and that’s when they found it - because of Steve encouraging me go. It’s very small, it’s treatable.

“Then I had to make a decision whether I’d go through an operation or radiotherapy.”

Horton spoke to Dr Jon Bell, who is a senior consultant at the Christie, the world-leading cancer treatment centre in Manchester, and son of city legend Colin.

He said: “I’d only just found out and we were in the same lounge at the FA Cup final.

“I had five minutes with him and he gave me advice and said, ‘If you have radiotherapy, you’ll come to us’.

“I’d already made my mind up I’d go for the radiotherapy.

“He has just been there for me now for advice.

“I’ve started the process. I’ve got to have the brachytherapy and then the radiotherapy.

“I don’t feel like I’ve got anything wrong with me.

“I think as footballers we are quite strong people.

“You have injuries and you have to do the rehab.

“A lot of it is the mind, whether you are strong-willed.

“I’ve got three weeks of radiotherapy to come and I’m ready for it.”

Cancer is a frightening word – but the reality can be more manageable.

Horton said: “That’s the way I feel. I’m very positive about it, they’ve caught early thanks to Dr Sally.”

He still keeps in close touch with the game, partly via social media.

“I’m hooked on Twitter at the moment – but I only say good things.”

He talks to former Albion colleagues such as Steve Foster, Teddy Maybank, Eric Steele, Mark Lawrenson and the boss, Alan Mullery and was saddened to hear of the death of Gerry Ryan.

“Gerry was a good player. Great ability, quick and, on top of that, he was a great person.

“We had such a good side. It’s a good while ago but great days, a great club.

“The Bloom family have made the football club what it is.”

And the family will be represented at the game tomorrow – which is where that tricky question comes in.

The one NOT about cancer.

He said: “It’s a big game for me. My time at Brighton was fantastic – and the Bloom family will be there.

“They know (about the cancer diagnosis). I told them a few weeks ago.

“City know and I think they are doing something.

“Although I did 2,000 games, all my old clubs look after me great when I go back.

“I pick and choose my games and I’m a very lucky boy to be looked after so well.

“I miss the camaraderie of football. I miss the dressing room, the banter and all that.

“My book has been great (Two Thousand Games: A Life in Football, published in 2020) because I’ve done lots of signings.

“I had to learn how to do Zooms and podcasts.

“I’ve shocked myself with how to do them.

“City are playing some of the best football I’ve ever seen.

“The Real Madrid game last year, David Pleat rang me at half-time and I thought, ‘What’s he ringing me for?’.

“He said, ‘That’s the best football I’ve seen in my lifetime’.

“For David Pleat, who has managed Tottenham, Sheffield Wednesday, Luton and is an absolute purist, for him to be saying that, that is some statement.

“They are playing fantastic football and the way they look after us is great.

“Brighton is the same when I go down there.

“I’ve got a small problem, haven’t I?

“Tony Bloom will probably go, ‘Who do you want to win?’ and the Man City people will ask me the same.

“They know what they’re doing!

“I want it to be a great game of football - and De Zerbi is doing an unbelievable job at Brighton with the football they are playing.

“I’m sure it will be a great game of football and hopefully it’s a draw.”

You can check your risk of prostate cancer in the next 30 seconds by clicking here.