Albion's new signing Paul Kitson has pleaded with fans not to expect too much too soon on his debut against Wimbledon at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

The former West Ham marksman has not started a match for nine months and has spent the summer training by himself after the Hammers released him.

"I obviously need to get back to fitness," Kitson said. "I missed pre-season and I've had no friendly games, so I am straight into the thick of it on Saturday.

"It's going to take a few games to get fit and get my match sharpness. I've trained by myself pre-season, but there is only so much running you can do.

"It's different to proper football training, so it's going to be hard but I am going to do my best.

"I have felt okay and sharp in training here so far, although it is obviously different to a match situation. I've got a level of fitness behind me, it's just match sharpness that I need."

Kitson, whose last start was for West Ham at Sunderland on December 1, will lead the Seagulls' line on Saturday with Bobby Zamora sidelined for two to three weeks by a knee ligament strain.

The ex-Newcastle ace is confident a return to regular action will bring out the best in him.

"I am just looking to play week in and week out," said Kitson. "I've scored at whatever level I have played.

"It was frustrating for me at West Ham, but hopefully I can establish myself again by scoring goals and playing well.

"I've played in the Premiership for the last eight or nine years and I'm only 31. It's not as if I have played loads of games, so I have still got an awful lot to offer."