ALBION have been told by Bristol City: 'Blame Carl Hutchings not us for his amazing U-turn.'

Hutchings should have been lining up alongside teenage newcomer Bobby Zamora against Plymouth at Withdean today.

Instead he rejoined his old club Brentford on a month's loan yesterday, 24 hours after putting his name to an identical deal with the Seagulls.

The relevant papers were signed by Albion and Hutchings on Thursday afternoon, then faxed to Bristol City.

Had they signed and returned them, as expected, Hutchings would have been registered by Albion and would not then have been able to join Brentford on a loan basis.

But Brentford boss Ron Noades has reportedly agreed a £130,000 fee with Bristol City for the player, exactly the same as he cost to go in the opposite direction 19 months ago.

John Laycock, City's vice-chairman, said: "It's good for Carl and it is good for us. Micky Adams is naturally upset, but it was the player's decision."

Hutchings was unavailable for comment last night.

Rookie striker Zamora makes his full League debut today on a month's loan from Bristol Rovers.

The 19-year-old, fresh from a prolific loan spell with non-League Bath, has made three substitute appearances for Rovers this season.

Top scorer Darren Freeman trained yesterday despite a leg infection and is expected to play, but Darren Carr remains a major doubt with a calf injury.

Adams has added youth teamers Shaun Wilkinson and Daniel Marney to the squad and they could be on the bench with first year pros Scott Ramsay and Ryan Palmer.

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