Albion players are busting a gut to be available for Saturday’s relegation decider against Stockport at Withdean.
Boss Russell Slade could have a very strong bench for the match the Seagulls must win to be sure of League One survival.
Glenn Murray and even captain Nicky Forster are racing against time to be involved.
Hernia victim Murray, sidelined from 17 of the last 20 games, is working with conditioning coach Matt Miller with a view to resuming training on Thursday.
The last day relegation fight is especially intriguing for Murray. Fellow strugglers Carlisle are his home town club. He began his career there and, during that time, had a spell on loan at Stockport.
The Argus revealed last week that fears Forster had suffered cruciate knee ligament damage and would be out for seven months proved unfounded.
He has medial ligament damage but the ever-optimistic 15-goal talisman believes he could be ready to train on Friday.
On-loan Watford midfielder Al Bangura has recovered from chicken pox and resumed training yesterday.
Two other midfielders on short-term contracts are unlikely to make the squad.
Jason Jarrett remains doubtful with a groin injury sustained in training last week, while Chris Birchall has gone back home to Stoke to be with his wife, who is due to give birth.
The relegation picture could become clearer tonight, as Northampton play their game in hand at home to MK Dons.
The Cobblers are without skipper and centre-half Chris Doig. He suffered a groin injury in Saturday’s 2-1 victory against relegated Hereford at Sixfields, which has carried Northampton to the brink of survival.
A point and they will be safe, since they have a much better goal difference than Carlisle, although Albion can still finish above them unless they win.
Boss Stuart Gray said: “We know we don’t have to chase the result but we’ll go for the win because if you get a goal it takes the pressure off the defence.”
MK Dons’ outside chance of automatic promotion ended on Saturday. Now they are jostling for where they will finish in the play-offs with Millwall, Leeds and Tranmere or Scunthorpe.
Jimmy Glass will be Carlisle’s guest of honour at Saturday’s must-win home game against Millwall.
The on-loan goalkeeper famously scored an injury time winner on the last day of the season ten years ago to rescue the Cumbrians from relegation.
They are offering free admission to the Waterworks End at Brunton Park to 1,000 youngsters. Will they be crying at the final whistle?
Crewe chief Gudjon Thordarson is seeking divine intervention, with his team on the brink of relegation after Friday’s 4-3 defeat at Stockport and draws for Albion and Carlisle.
Crewe must beat champions Leicester at the Alexandra Stadium, hope that Carlisle do not win, Albion lose and improve their goal difference by four compared with the Seagulls.
Thordarson admitted: “The Almighty is the only one who can get us out of this. I’ll speak to him and will see what he comes up with to save us.”
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