Swansea V Brighton Preview

The road to Wembley hots up tomorrow evening as Swansea City and Brighton look to take a step closer in their quest for a place in the Football League Trophy final.

Albion boss Dean Wilkins has urged Brighton fans to get behind the Sussex club after the clubs shock FA Cup 3rd round loss to league two outfit Mansfield Town at the Withdean Stadium.

His counterpart Roberto Martinez was also left reeling after the league one leaders were held to a 1-1 draw against Blue Square South side Havant and Waterlooville. In a game marred by incident the Spanish tactician was left fuming at Stuart Atwell and his assistants for his inability to control the cup clash.

Brighton face a tough task of downing Swansea City as their injury list grows ahead of the Semi final. Wilkins side lie in 10th place in league one but are pushing for a place in the play off positions.

The Liberty Stadium out fit will be hoping to secure their place in the Southern Section final where they will face either league two leaders MK Dons or Gillingham. Should the club gain their place in the final it would be the 2nd time in 3 years that the South Wales club would have featured in the league cup final following the 2-1 win over Carlisle United at the millennium stadium in 2006.

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Brigton Keeper Micheal Kuipers:

We will then train hard on Monday, travel to Swansea and do our best and work our socks off on Tuesday and see what that brings us. We are all very disappointed. We wanted to be in the hat for the fourth round but we had done well to get to the third round and, having had a great opportunity to get into the fourth, that makes it doubly disappointing. The players share the same hurt as the supporters. We all want to go our there and correct things on Tuesday evening.'

Ferrie Bodde will miss the fixture as he serves the third game out of a 5 match ban following his red card in the 3-2 win over Leeds United last month.

Angel Rangel will be available after serving his one match ban whilst Owain Tudur Jones is also continues his recovery. Marcos Painter will also face a late fitness test as he looks to over come an ankle injury.

Darren Way is also out after picking up a slight hamstring injury.

The midfield maestro:

Andy Robinson's 74th minute free kick looked to book Swansea a place in the 4th round of the FA Cup on the weekend. Despite goal it was all in vain, but the scouser will be a pivotal player for the Liberty Stadium outfit tomorrow evening. With his mazy runs and ability to take on defenders will cause problems for the visitors.

Albion's young striker Jake Robinson is out of the game with a metatarsal injury sustained in the Seagulls 2-1 FA cup loss to Mansfield. Midfielder Dean Hammond is also out with an ankle injury whilst Brighton manager Dean Wilkins is waiting to hear if Andrew Whing will be passed fit as he tries to overcome illness.

French loanee David Martot will be in contention after signing a loan extension from Le Harve.

Guy Butters is a doubt after sustaining a calf strain.

The Seasiders Top Scorer

Brighton's top goal scorer Nicky Forster will pose a very significant threat to Swansea City with 12 goals in all competition this season.. The former Reading player is a vetran ran at the core of a young Brighton side pushing to get into the play off places. is exellent work rate on the field of play will give The Albion opportunities to prise open the Swansea defense.

The Form Book(based on previous 5 results)

Swansea City

LWWDD
Brighton and Hove Albion
WLLWL

Referee:Jarnail SINGH
Assitants:A J Horton and B J Malone
Fourth Official A Rodda
Jarnail Singh officiated Swansea City's Carling Cup win over Walsall on the 14th August last year. Singh has since then has officiated 17 games and has given 50 yellow cards and has sent off Grimsby's Ryan Bennett and Norwich City's Dion Dublin. The Middlesex official has been involved in the Khalsa Football Federation an initiative to get more of the Asian community involved in football.

Swansea Vital predicts close 2-1 win to Swansea City .

Click here to predict the score in our Prediction League

Luton Town Vs Swansea City
Coca Cola League One
Kenilworth Stadium
12thth January
3.00pm KO