ANDY KING will have to fight on alone after Steve Coppell turned his attentions from one struggling club to another. Town's temporary assistant manager has signed a one-year contract as the new boss of First Division Brighton.

While Town have lost nine of their last 10 games, the Seagulls have gone one worse, losing 10 on the trot.

And Brighton chairman Dick Knight believes Coppell is the man to turn things around at the Withdean Stadium.

While some sections of the media have labelled Coppell's departure as another 'blow' for Town, it is hardly a surprise.

In the three-and-a-half weeks he has been at the club, he has consistently dismissed talk of the top job at the County Ground.

After his first training session Coppell said: "I don't want to be seen as some kind of predatory vulture who is just waiting in the background for more bad results before coming in to take over."

Manager Andy King was already under the impression that Saturday's game against Colchester United would be Coppell's last at the County Ground.

And the man himself has made no secret of the fact that Town's current embargo problems would present any would-be manager with staggering problems.

He said: "The art of management is sculpting and designing a team."

During a frank discussion with the board, Coppell said three or four new faces were needed to freshen up matters and give Town a real chance to be competitive.

Coppell said even Sir Alex Ferguson would struggle to succeed at the County Ground at the moment.

A four-hour round trip to training at Wanborough was also taking its toll on the former Brentford and Crystal Palace boss.

He was expected to be unveiled at the Withdean Stadium today.

Former Seagulls boss Martin Hinshelwood has been offered the post of director of football.

Whether under-fire boss King now turns to another footballing friend for help remains to be seen.

A Football League tribunal will meet to decide Sol Davis' value tomorrow.

The Town defender joined the Hatters in August but the two clubs have been unable to reach an agreement on a fee.

Luton offered an initial £25,000 with a further £25,000 to follow, based on appearances.

Andy King felt an initial £75,000 with a further £75,000 was a more realistic reflection of the player's market value.

Chief executive Mark Devlin said: "Clearly there are bills to pay and Andy I'm sure would also appreciate a little extra for the playing fund."