There was good news and bad news for Albion on the injury front for the sell-out showdown with John Gregory's Derby.

Bobby Zamora recovered from ankle and Achilles injuries to make his 100th League appearance for the Seagulls.

But Graham Barrett and Dean Blackwell were both ruled out of Steve Coppell's line-up.

Barrett failed a late fitness test on a knee injury sustained in Monday's encouraging 1-1 draw at Wolves.

Blackwell missed out after hurting a hamstring in the same match.

Barrett's absence meant a full debut for Steve Sidwell, his fellow loan signing from Arsenal.

Teenager Adam Hinshelwood came in for his third start in place of Blackwell.

Coppell persevered with the 5-3-2 formation which worked so well against Wolves.

Hinshelwood joined Danny Cullip and Robbie Pethick at the heart of the defence, with Sidwell on the right side of midfield and Gary Hart partnering Zamora.

Paul Brooker, available after a one match suspension, and returning loan signing Daniel Webb were among the substitutes.

Derby made three changes to the team beaten at home by Portsmouth last Saturday.

Italian star Fabrizio Ravanelli had to settle for a place on the bench again as Gregory plumped for a new strike force of the fit-again Malcolm Christie and former Pompey marksman Deon Burton.

Topscorer Christie, back from a four match absence with a knee injury, and Burton took over from youngster Izale McLeod and Lee Morris.

The other change was in defence, Steve Elliott returning for the unwell Danny Higginbotham.

Lee Grant was in goal for suspended Estonian Mart Poom, who has joined Sunderland on loan.

Former Albion midfielder Gregory took the opportunity this morning to catch up with an old colleague when he popped into Chris Cattlin's rock shop on Brighton seafront.

Barrett had the consolation before kick-off of receiving the PFA Fans Division One Player-Of-The-Month award for October.

The injury could not have come at a worse time for him following his inclusion in the Republic of Ireland senior squad for next Wednesday's match against Greece in Athens.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Richard Carpenter, Robbie Pethick, Adam Hinshelwood, Simon Rodger, Steve Sidwell, Gary Hart, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Oatway, Brooker, Petterson, Jones, Webb.

Derby: Lee Grant; Warren Barton, Steve Elliott, Chris Riggott, Rob Lee, Malcolm Christie, Paul Boertien, Georgie Kinkladze, Deon Burton, Ian Evatt, Adam Bolder. Subs: Morris, Jackson, Ravanelli, Oakes, McLeod.

Referee: Mr R. Beeby (Northampton).