Albion have given Glenn Murray and Tomer Hemed first crack at forging a striking partnership in the Championship this season.

The top scorers of 2010-11 and last season respectively lead the Seagulls’ 4-4-2 set-up in the opener at Derby today.

Bruno, as expected, skippers the side from central defence in the absence through injury of Connor Goldson and Uwe Huenemeier.

Jiri Skalak gets the nod ahead of Jamie Murphy on the left and latest signing Oliver Norwood is among the subs.

Derby spring a surprise at left-back, where Chris Baird playsin the absence of Marcus Olsson (concussion) and Craig Forsyth, whose partner has gone into labour.

Andreas Weimann, tipped to start on the Rams' left flank, has a knee injury so ex-Albion loanee Bradley Johnson is in. As expected, another short-lived Seagulls player Darren Bent is picked up front ahead of Chris Martin with Tom Ince likely to play just off him in a 4-4-1-1 set-up.

Derby: Carson; Christie, Keogh, Shackell, Baird; Blackman, Hendrick, Bryson, Johnson; Ince, Bent. Subs: Grant, Pearce, Lowe, Butterfield, Hughes, Russell, Martin.

Albion: Stockdale; Rosenior, Bruno, Dunk, Bong; Knockaert, Kayal, Sidwell, Skalak; Murray, Hemed. Subs: Maenpaa, White, Ince, Norwood, LuaLua, Murphy, Baldock.

Ref: Jeremy Simpson.