The Gaffer

Micky Adams. Back for his second spell in charge, Adams' appointment at the end of last term was a little controversial.

The club removed the job from Dean Wilkins, who had taken Albion to the verge of the League One play-offs and subsequently declined a different role with the club, but Adams is not short of popularity in Brighton.

The former Leeds defender is respected throughout the club and the town after a successful period as boss between 1999 and 2001, and has a good knowledge of England's lower leagues.

That said, more recent opportunities at Leicester and Coventry did not go as planned, and he was out of management for almost 18 months before answering Brighton's call in May.

The Danger

Glenn Murray. The 25-year-old striker is not a player United will know a great deal about but his goalscoring record this term will doubtless have alerted Gary McAllister.

Murray – a former Carlisle and Rochdale player – opened his account during a 2-0 win over Southend in August and, having waited six games to find the net again, he has embarked on a sudden spree with six goals in his last three appearances.

Murray bagged a hat-trick against Cheltenham last Saturday and is continuing the reliable form which helped Albion finish seventh in the League One table last season.

The Form

Brighton moved into the last eight of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy by beating Leyton Orient on penalties on Tuesday night and Adams must be fairly satisfied with the way his squad have started the season.

Their league form has been mixed, and although the club have not won in five games at the Withdean Stadium, Albion are unbeaten in four away from home and will meet Leeds in the fourth round of the Carling Cup if they can eliminate Derby County next month.

Adams' main worry at present is likely to be his defence. While Brighton have found the net regularly this season, they have not kept a clean sheet since September 2.

The Odds

Brighton are not a bad side away from home and William Hill are taking a slight risk by offering 4-1 about an Albion win at Elland Road.

The draw is also surprisingly long at 5-2, but there is no surprise about United, who set off as 4-7 favourites.

The Whistler

Carl Boyeson. Boyeson is refereeing a Leeds match for the first time, some six years after his debut in the Football League.

The East Yorkshire official qualified for the Premier League's list of linesmen before becoming a Football League referee in his own right.

United need not worry about an over-zealous man in black tomorrow, in eight games this season Boyeson has shown eight yellow cards and has not yet been tempted to draw his red.