Tony Pulis knows Albion will break their Premier League duck at some stage.

He just hopes it is not against his reinforced West Brom defence.

The Baggies boss was impressed by the Seagulls in their 0-0 draw at Watford.

He will not be aware but Albion’s last home goal in the top flight was enough to earn a 1-0 win, back in April 1983 when Terry Connor netted against Coventry. But Pulis is on guard ahead of a trip to the Amex.

Reminded of those three blanks this term, Pulis replied: “Yes but they will score, I guarantee you that. I just hope it won’t be against us.

“They’ve been unfortunate in the couple of games I’ve watched.

“They were certainly unfortunate not to beat Watford, having hit the post a couple of times. I know Watford had ten men but Brighton had good opportunities.”

Pulis will have key defender Jonny Evans available for the first time this season.

He will decide whether to include new signings Grzegorz Krychowiak and Kieran Gibbs in his squad, with both players short of match fitness.

Pulis insists Jonny Evans was unfazed by the uncertainty surrounding his future and urged the defender to fight for his place.

The 29-year-old was a target for Manchester City, Leicester and Arsenal during the transfer window.

City had a bid of £18 million turned down while West Brom rejected offers of £10 million and £23 million from the Foxes.

Evans played in both of Northern Ireland’s World Cup qualifying matches this month, scoring in a 2-0 victory against Czech Republic.

In his absence with a hamstring injury, West Brom have made a solid start to the season, taking seven points from their opening three Premier League games and conceding just one goal.

Summer signing Ahmed Hegazy was at fault when Peter Crouch scored that only goal against West Brom so far, with an equaliser for Stoke at the Hawthorns.

But he has made a positive early impression alongside Craig Dawson at the heart of the defence and it is not a given that Evans will simply be restored to the side.

Pulis said: “He’s got to knuckle down to get back into the team and start showing everyone how good of a player he is again.

“It was very important we kept him. Although the bottom line is that Man City and Arsenal were interested, they just never met the valuation the football club wanted.

“If they’d have met the valuation it might have been a different situation.

“I’m pleased that Jonny stayed. He’s a very down-to-earth lad, he’s very level-headed.

“He’s been at one of the great clubs in world football for a long time so going to Man City or going to Arsenal would not have fazed him at all. And I don’t think the speculation fazed him.”

Albion boss Chris Hughton believes West Brom sent out a strong message by keeping hold of Evans.

He said: “It was a big team statement and a very big club statement.

“Not just because they kept him but because of the stature of the clubs that wanted to take him and I think that just shows where West Brom are at the moment.

“I know Tony really well. Tony knows how to get results and how to get the best out of his players and sometimes win when they have missed out on a few players or have had a few injuries.

“Tony has a knack out of getting the best out of players. You only have to look at the players who have gone there and that have very much enhanced their game.”

Gareth McAuley is back in training after a thigh injury but Pulis indicated today’s game will come too soon for him to be considered for a comeback.

Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu is still suspended.

West Brom’s record when scoring first is impressive, and not just because of the seven points they have gained this season.

Last term they went 1-0 up in 16 matches, winning nine, drawing five and losing two.

They lost 15 of the 20 matches in which they went 1-0 down, winning three and drawing two.