Albion boss Chris Hughton has warned his trio of defensive prospects to expect a stiffer examination on their aways debuts in the League Cup at Oxord United.

Full-backs Rob Hunt (below) and Sam Adekugbe, along with centre-half Ben White, were promoted to the senior ranks for the 4-0 win in the first round against Colchester United at the Amex a fortnight ago.

The Argus: They get another chance to impress this evening as part of a back four also including the experience of Uwe Huenemeier on his comeback from eight months out with a groin injury.

Hughton told The Argus: "We played three young players at the back (against Colchester) and when they are all having their first games there is a touch of nervousness but, with Rohan Ince, they did exceptionally well and irrespective of how I look at this competition all three of them deserve the opportunity to go again.

 

"So it will be a similar type side. I'd be delighted if I got a similar type performance.

"Sometimes you don't know. They were excellent but it was a home game. I think there will be a good crowd and this will be another stage for them, the best type of stage.

"Stepping up to the first team group is the biggest test they can have. It's not just about ability on the ball, it's about other things, how they can handle being in that environment with a little bit more pressure on them."

Huenemeier returns tonight from an absence which dragged on much longer than anticipated.

"It was a difficult one," Hughton explained. "You can only go on the what the specialist says and he felt it would be best to go down the conservative route, which meant no operation.

"It became evident after a long period that the problem wasn't going away, consequently he ended up having an operation, so that period became a lot longer than we first thought.

"I think the way they diagnosed at the time was right and possibly the conservative route would have been right for the majority. Unfortunately for Uwe it wasn't."

Albion won 4-0 at Oxford in a friendly four weeks ago, when Hughton fielded virtually a first-choice line-up.

"It was a stronger team, so I would expect nothing short of a very difficult game," he said. "They are a good side who are able to mix their game up a little bit.

"They are a good passing team. I don't think the manager (Michael Appleton) would have it any other way."