Nobody has more top flight nous in the Albion dressing room than Steve Sidwell.

Manchester City's visit to the Amex on Saturday marks the Premier League debut of the club and most of the players.

Not Sidwell. The midfielder made his entry 11 years ago and what an entry - one the Seagulls would love to emulate.

"My Premier League debut, for Reading against Boro at the Madejski," he said, the details etched in the memory bank.

"We went 2-0 down, thinking we were dead and buried. We came back and won 3-2 and I think that was key to the way we progressed that season (Reading finished eighth). If we'd gone in two down and lost three or 4-0 you are thinking welcome to the Premier League.

"We were on a high winning. I happened to score the second equaliser. It was a baking hot day and it was great, what you dream about as a kid. That put us on that road to a good season."

Precisely 200 Premier League appearances for five teams later, Sidwell, at 34, is back with the club he reluctantly left as a teenager and instinctively felt he would return to one day.

He scored five goals in 12 games in the Championship for Albion at Withdean on loan from Arsenal before following Steve Coppell to Reading.

"It was short and sweet," Sidwell said. "It came to January and Reading put the bid in to Arsenal, which they accepted. It was a little bit out of my hands really.

"I know football wise it was the right thing to do, but I was desperate to stay. I was enjoying my time, playing really well, and when I left it felt like I'd shut a door which I knew was going to open again.

"It seems weird to talk about, but I knew at some point down the line I was going to come back. It's nice to be part of the fairytale."

The Argus: Sidwell contributed 34 appearances and a memorable, long-range goal at Bristol City (above) in last season's promotion campaign.

Albion just missed out in 2015-16 when he returned, initially on loan, from Stoke. Sidwell believes the heartache and the wait has been worthwhile.

"I think it was a blessing in disguise that we didn't go up that year," he said. "I don't think mentally we were right.

"Technically, yes, but I don't think we managed games as well as we did in the season just gone. We improved that.

"We've come on in the mental side of it. We can grind games out and we've got the players to play good, flowing football. Hopefully we can bring a freshness."

Sidwell's CV also includes, Chelsea, Fulham and Aston Villa. He has played under the likes of Jose Mourinho (below centre at the Amex), Martin O'Neill, Gerard Houllier, Roy Hodgson and Mark Hughes. Now he is enjoying the twilight under Chris Hughton.

The Argus: He said: "I've been lucky enough to work with some of the best in the business throughout my career and I'd definitely put him at the top as well. His day-to-day management of players, setting out in training what he wants.

"There's a soft side to him - his door is always open - but when it comes down to work you know it's work time. What he has achieved here so far is tremendous. He got the Freedom of the City and he deserved that."

Whether he is in the team or not, Sidwell's experience will be invaluable.

"We've got a few players in the squad that he (Hughton) comes to from time to time," he said. "Now, going into the Premier League, there might be more of a link between myself and him, with advice on certain players and teams and how they've lined up in the past.

"That is the sort of role you take on now that you have become a veteran. You take the responsibility maybe to be the go-between from the team to the staff and vice-versa.

"I've experienced the highs and lows of the Premier League and you've got to take it one game at a time, even every minute in every game. You can't look further than that, because you do get punished. That will come with experience.

"I'm sure after a few games the lads will get into their stride and know what it's all about. If we all pull in the same direction then we should be fine."