Tommy Elphick has branded Albion’s relegation showdown at Hereford tonight as the biggest game of his career.

And he has backed the stand-in strike force of Craig Davies and Lloyd Owusu to come good after their MK Dons misery.

Elphick returns to the centre of defence at Edgar Street following a two-match suspension, with the Seagulls eight points from safety.

The 21-year-old slots in alongside deputy skipper Adam Virgo, renewing a partnership which helped dump Manchester City out of the Carling Cup in one of their few outings together this season.

“It’s a massive game, probably the biggest I’ve had in my career to date,” said Elphick.

“The week ahead, with Hereford, Swindon and Colchester on Monday, is huge and we have got to look to put nine points on the board.

“On paper Hereford are the lowest side, so people might say it is the easiest game we have got left but it is not going to be that way. It’s going to be an absolute war.

“We’ve still got those two games in hand. If we didn’t have those then it probably would be taking its toll mentally and it would look like we are down but we are positive and we think we can get out of it.”

Elphick, banned for ten bookings, was a frustrated spectator for the 2-0 defeat at MK Dons, where chances missed by the front pair in the absence of both injured captain Nicky Forster and second top scorer Glenn Murray cost Albion dear.

Elphick said: “We were talking afterwards about the mentality and confidence that is lacking a bit.

“If one of those chances drops for us then, I am sure, with the defenders we have got we can hold out and take the three points.

“I know once one of our strikers score it won’t stop. Looking at our front two of Owusu and Davies, when they came here everyone thought there are definitely goals there.

“It’s just waiting for one to drop for them. Davo got on a little roll when he was at Stockport and Lloyd has been around the block.

“He will be mentoring Craig and they will be keeping each other going. I am sure they will come good for us.”

Albion have not scored for six hours and ten minutes since two-goal Forster and Murray’s penalty helped them to a 5-0 thrashing of Yeovil.

That has left them in desperate need of only their second away win this year to give themselves a realistic chance of survival.

Assistant manager Dean White said: “Everyone knows what we have got to do. There is no grey area, we have to win.

“Our horrendous injury list has been well documented but forget that. You can make all the excuses under the sun but we have got to go and get a result with what ever team we put out.”