Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton rocked by Oatway injury
Brighton captain Charlie Oatway has suffered another injury setback after a scan revealed he had torn cartilage in his knee. The midfielder picked up the knock during pre-season and could be out for up to six weeks. Oatway, 33, has only recently returned to action after 18 months out with an ankle injury. Brighton boss dean Wilkins told the club website: "He has been fine in pre-season then he gets this."

Elphick signs new Brighton deal
Brighton defender Tommy Elphick has signed a new two-year contract which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2008/09 season. The 19-year-old was handed his first professional deal in the summer of 2006 after impressing in the youth team. Elphick's contract was due to expire at the end of this season. Brighton boss Dean Wilkins told the club website: "Tommy has done very well in recent months and this deal is a reward for the progress he has made."

Albion drop Whing red card appeal
Brighton have changed their mind about whether to appeal against the red card shown to defender Andrew Whing in Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Tranmere. Boss Dean Wilkins had initially said he would ask referee Graham Salisbury to reconsider his decision. But Wilkins told the Argus: "We have had some advice from a local referee. "The only way you can get it turned around is if it's mistaken identity. The video is inconclusive whether Andrew or Tommy Elphick made contact." Whing was booked for kicking the ball away when he claims to have been passing it back to the touchline for a throw-in. The referee then showed him a second yellow for a foul which appeared to have been committed by team-mate Elphick.

Gatting set for Woking loan deal
Brighton striker Joe Gatting is set to join Woking in a three-month loan deal. Gatting, 19, is expected to complete his move to the Blue Square Premier club in time for their home game against Altrincham on Saturday. The son of former Brighton defender Steve Gatting scored five times in 31 games for the Gulls last season. He is yet to figure this season and moves to Woking for the chance of regular football with Brighton having a recall clause after the first month.

Lloyd bags Brighton scouting role
Brighton have appointed former manager Barry Lloyd as chief scout on a full-time basis. Lloyd took the Seagulls to the Division One play-off final back in 1991 before leaving in 1993. Chairman Dick Knight told SSB "Barry has a knack of spotting talent which he proved as Albion manager. I want our radar to be wider for talent. "Even 20 years ago Barry was aware there was talent on the continent and it's an excellent move for us."

Brighton poised to sign Richards
Ipswich have given midfielder Matt Richards the go-ahead to join Brighton on a one-month loan deal. The 22-year-old has not yet featured in the first team this season and manager Jim Magilton sees it as a good chance for him to boost his fitness. Magilton told Ipswich's website: "Brighton have approached us and we are happy for him to go there for a month. "He needs to be playing first-team football and he's not getting that here at the moment."

Wilkins blames sloppy defending
Brighton manager Dean Wilkins said sloppy defending marred an otherwise impressive display against Yeovil. "The two goals we have conceded are extremely disappointing," Wilkins said after seeing his side lose 2-1 and also lose their 100% home record. "I thought it was a really spirited performance in the second half and we probably deserved a point. "But when you give yourself a two-goal deficit so early on it does make the job extremely difficult."

Defender Lynch continues comeback
Brighton defender Joel Lynch played again for the reserves as he steps up his bid for a return to the first-team following a spell on the sidelines. Lynch, who has been out of action with a hamstring injury, played for an hour for the second string in Monday's 0-0 draw against Watford. Coach Ian Chapman told the club website: "Joel looked terrific. "He looked really sharp, so with the busy schedule in mind we took him off after an hour."

Wilkins praises forward Forster
Brighton boss Dean Wilkins was delighted with the performance of centre forward Nicky Forster in the 4-1 victory against Cheltenham. Forster scored twice and set up a goal in their comprehensive Johnstone's Paint Trophy area quarter-final win. Wilkins said: "Nicky looked electric at times and he looked very dangerous. "He looked really strong and aggressive when he went down the sides of the centre halves and when he got in around the wide players."

Wilkins applauds Albion character
Boss Dean Wilkins saluted his side's "fantastic character" as Albion denied Leyton Orient top spot and stretched their unbeaten run to six games. The Seagulls came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with promotion rivals Orient thanks to second-half goals by Nicky Forster and Dean Cox. "In the second half we showed more belief and fantastic character to come back twice which has been a feature up to now this season," said Wilkins. "The players looked incredibly fit."

Wilkins hails hard-earned point
Brighton boss Dean Wilkins was delighted by the character his side showed to come from behind with 10 men to claim a 2-2 draw with Carlisle. "The players deserve pats on the back for coming back in such difficult circumstances," said Wilkins, who lost George O'Callaghan for stamping. "George has done something that he will regret. I can't condone the incident and I will lose him for three games. "I will just have to find a solution that will keep us picking up points."

Brighton's Hart heads for Havant
Brighton midfielder Gary Hart has joined Blue Square South side Havant and Waterlooville on a month's loan. Hart has not featured for League One side Brighton this season during his testimonial year with the Seagulls. The 31-year-old has previously made 370 appearances for the club since signing in August 1998. Hart joins former Brighton team-mate Charlie Oatway, who is a player and assistant-manager at Havant, who have reached the third round of the FA Cup.

Cox disciplined by Brighton boss
Brighton boss Dean Wilkins has revealed that midfielder Dean Cox did not travel to Saturday's 3-0 win at Swindon because of a breach of club discipline. "Dean was left out for disciplinary reasons, and that is as far as I will go on that," Wilkins explained. "I am not going to elaborate on it, but it was a decision I felt needed making. "Fortunately, we started the game very well - our performance was efficient, with patches of quality with really good determination and organisation."

Savage looks set to quit Brighton
Bas Savage looks set to leave Brighton after rejecting a new contract. The 25-year-old striker's current deal expires next week and Seagulls boss Dean Wilkins admitted: "He has refused our offer, so he will be moving on. "It's going to be a blow, but we have to make sure that we move on and that whoever comes in does an equal, if not a better, job. "It's disappointing. He has been made a good offer by us, but the decision has been made now." Savage joined Brighton on a free transfer from Gillingham a year ago and has scored nine goals in 36 appearances for the club.

Brighton recall midfielder Fogden
Brighton have recalled Wes Fogden from his loan spell at Blue Square South side Dorchester Town. Injuries and two defeats over the festive period led manager Dean Wilkins to recall the central midfielder. The 19-year-old is likely to be on the Seagulls' bench for the New Year's Day match against Bournemouth. Dorchester assistant manager Paul Compton said: "He has earnt the right to impress in the Football League. I would like to wish him all the best."

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