By Tim Dudding

Michel Kuipers says the players are confident they can put Saturday's disappointment behind them as they look to get their playoff push back on track at Southend on Tuesday night.

He told Seagulls World, "We just have to look forward to Tuesday night's game.

"We've had eight good months up until now, and we now have to make sure in the last five games we put in some good performances.

"I think they are a similar side to us. They like to pass it and they're quite solid overall. It's going to be a close game - possibly a 1-0 or a 2-1 - but everyone is really focusing on getting ourselves back into playoff contention.

"Everyone has shown this season that we are big enough and man enough to play any team. We went to Leeds and Nottingham Forest away where there were big crowds and a lot of pressure on us, and everybody did really well, so I don't see there being any problems on Tuesday night."

Albion boss Dean Wilkins is of a similar opinion to Kuipers, and believes the Albion squad have the mental strength to get a result at Roots Hall.

He said, "We've seen it against Doncaster, Forest, Leeds and so many times over the season, so I don't question whether the players are capable of pulling it off.

"We're more than capable, and we just need to go there, do the best we can, work as hard as we can, be as organised as we can and take the chances that we create."