Albion club captain Paul Rogers is hoping to force his way into Saturday's Withdean sell-out against his old club Sheffield United.

Rogers is keen to play a part in Steve Coppell's first match in charge after a frustrating run on the bench.

The versatile 37-year-old has been a regular substitute since his last start in the home defeat against Norwich on August 17.

"The only games where I got on were at Rotherham and Ipswich for the last few minutes," Rogers said.

"That is frustrating, but it is for any player when you aren't playing. You have to get on with it and hope for a chance, then take it when it comes.

"Saturday is against my old club and when a new manager comes in you want to be in the first team he picks. It's the same for all the pros, to a certain extent we have all got a fresh start."

Rogers went from non-league Sutton to the Premier League and Division One with Sheffield United. He spent five years at Bramall Lane under Dave Bassett and Howard Kendall.

"It was a fantastic club, a different world to non-league," he said. "They have been flying this season and Neil Warnock's teams are always hard working, strong and very competitive, so it will be a very difficult game.

"The two-week break has probably been good for us, especially with the managerial change. We've had time to settle down, do a few sessions and know how he (Coppell) wants us to play.

"It has been a bit of a chance to recharge the batteries and start again really. We haven't deserved to lose ten on the spin the way we've been playing."

Rogers, more accustomed to a midfield role, partnered trialist Dean Blackwell in the centre of defence for an Albion XI at Hassocks on Tuesday.

Guy Butters and Adam Virgo are the favourites to land those positions on Saturday in the absence of suspended skipper Danny Cullip.

"That is a blow," Coppell said. "The essence of football is getting your best 11 out playing as often as possible.

"The captain is the leader, the role model. I don't want him sitting in the stands and he knows that, I've told him.

"We will have to compensate for it. It's not ideal in my first game, but as he goes out it's an opportunity for someone else and I hope who ever has that opportunity grasps it with both hands."

Coppell will be without the injured Paul Kitson, John Piercy, Nathan Jones, Robbie Pethick and Geoff Pitcher. Kitson had minor surgery on Tuesday on his back problem.

All the matchday action this Saturday at thisisthealbion.co.uk