Anthony Knockaert is set for an immediate return to Albion’s starting line-up for Friday’s showdown with Leeds at the Amex.

The French winger was dropped to the bench for the goalless stalemate at Cardiff after two below-par performances since the death of his dad.

He made a difference when he came on and will replace Jiri Skalak or Jamie Murphy against the Yorkshiremen.

Boss Chris Hughton said: “After the last couple of weeks he’s had and the last couple of performances it was the right decision to leave him out but he certainly gave us that spark when he came on and he was the one that looked like he could make something happen.”

Hughton will be forced into a defensive change for the first time since the end of September following left-back Gaetan Bong’s late red card in Wales for a second bookable offence.

Seb Pocognoli, on loan from West Brom, will make his full home league debut in place of Bong.

Hughton said of the African’s dismissal: “It’s part and parcel of the game. I’ll have a look at the first booking again but certainly on the second one I’ve got no arguments with that. That’s why we have the squad we do.”

Hughton defended centre-half Lewis Dunk, who collected his eighth caution, two away from a two-match ban. He said: “That’s Dunky for you. He’s wholehearted and desperately wants to do well and win games. Sometimes there are consequences that come with that. Our responsibility is to try to keep that number down.

“In the heat of the moment sometimes it’s difficult. He’s in the middle of a very good season and has certainly given us more than he has taken away from us.”