Liam Bridcutt is poised for his first home start since May for Albion against Barnsley tonight.

The defensive midfielder, player of the season twice in a row, has not started a home game since the Seagulls lost to Crystal Palace in the play-offs.

Hernia surgery and a recurrence of a pubic bone injury have restricted Bridcutt to one full appearance since then, in Albion’s opening day defeat at Leeds.

The influential Scotland international made his comeback midway through the second half of the last home outing against Blackburn and was given further game time in the draw at Bournemouth in place of Jake Forster-Caskey.

Team-mate Stephen Ward said: “Liam came on at half-time on Saturday and I thought he was outstanding. He made us tick and got on the ball.”