JASON Tindall is not expecting a grudge match against Brighton this afternoon, despite a bad-tempered affair when the two met in December.

The Seagulls were reduced to nine men in the opening 12 minutes after Romain Vincelot and Ashley Barnes were sent off.

Vincelot was the first to go after clashing with Marvin Bartley in an off-the-ball incident, before Barnes was dismissed for stamping on Chris McCann at the American Express Community Stadium. The Clarets went on to win 1-0 thanks to Kieran Trippier’s first half goal.

But with Brighton one of three clubs locked on 63 points in the race for a top six finish, Tindall believes their focus will be solely on the play-offs and not revenge.

“You certainly don’t expect a team to get two players sent off so early into a game,” he said.

“At the time it was difficult to make any kind of opinion but having seen the incidents again I felt the referee did make the right decisions.

“It was unfortunate for Brighton. But I wouldn’t say it would add any more spice to the game because of what happened there.

“They’re coming here to try to win the game as much as we are.

“They’re in a great position at the minute in the play-offs and I’m sure they’ll want to stay there.”

Brighton have added former Claret loanee Sam Vokes to their ranks since the teams last met.

Tindall hasn’t ruled out another Turf Moor reunion with the Wolves striker after tomorrow.

“We’re always interested in good players and Sam’s a good player. There’s no question about it. We know him very well from his Bournemouth days and obviously we’ve monitored him while he’s been at Wolves,” he said.

“When he was here on loan he was terrific for us, and he’s a smashing lad.

“We’re always interested in good players, and that’s what Sam is.”

But, when asked if a deal could be done in the summer, Tindall added: “I think it’s too early to say. You have to look at Wolves’ current situation. If they are unfortunate enough to get relegated they might see Sam as a big player for them next season.

“Also there’s the likes of Brighton and I’m sure other admirers for him.

“It then puts us in a market where we’re competing with clubs that it’s difficult for us to compete with.

“But we’re always interested in good players if they’re available.

“If Sam was available I’m sure we’d keep a close eye on him.”

And Tindall revealed Burnley were close to extending the former Bournemouth striker’s loan spell in January, before signing Josh McQuoid on a 93-day emergency loan from Millwall.

“We were keen to take him back on loan at the time, but it wasn’t that we couldn’t give him the games that he wanted to play, it was because Wolves didn’t want him to go back out on loan at the time.

“They either wanted to keep him around there squad or maybe allow him to make a permanent move.

“As time went on their decision changed, but by then we were in a different position because we’d got Josh McQuoid on loan and it made it difficult to be bring Sam back because of finances.

“He went to Brighton and he’s done very well there, scored a few goals, and helped them get them into the play-offs positions.”

He added: “Vokesy was great while he was on loan here. It was a shame that he went back to Wolves at the time and then moved on to Brighton.

“Hopefully he won’t do as well today.

“We’re aware of his strengths and hopefully we’ll be able to combat those and put on a good performance ourselves, and hopefully not let him score.”

Of his future, Wales international Vokes said: “I’ve been on loan twice this season and it’s hard to say (what will happen) at the moment but I want to get settled.

“To be honest I’m just keeping my mind on what I am doing here (Brighton) at the moment and not looking elsewhere.

“If Wolves want me back, I’ve got another year on my contract so it’s probably out of my hands. But next season I want to get settled.

“There will be lots of different scenarios. We will have to see what happens in the summer.”