Albion captain Bruno has hailed the showdown against Sheffield Wednesday as the perfect pick-me-up after a rare defeat.

Wednesday completed the Seagulls’ exit from the play-offs the last time they met at the Amex in May.

Albion have recorded their first ever victory at Hillsborough since then and Bruno regards renewing rivalries with the Owls on Friday night as an ideal antidote to Saturday’s 2-0 setback at Preston.

That was only the third defeat of the season in the Championship for Chris Hughton’s side, three fewer than any other team.

Bruno told The Argus: “You can see how many teams lose games and we know how tough it is. We knew before the (Preston) game it was going to be really tough and it was.

“It’s important to react well. We normally react really well after a defeat. I hope we are going to do it on Friday.

“It’s a good game, it comes at the right time. They are signing a lot of players and trying to get stronger. We know it’s going to be a really tough game, but I believe in the team and that we will have a really good performance.”

Bruno is philosophical about the end of Albion’s unbeaten 18-match league run at Preston, completed when Callum Robinson got the better of the veteran Spanish right-back to double the deficit.

“We know these kind of things can happen,” Bruno said. “We’re not happy the way it happened. We started well but conceded a goal from a set piece and we couldn’t find the right way to create more chances. It was a really bad day for us.”

Sriker Sam Winnall, Wednesday’s recent signing from neighbours Barnsley, is in contention for his full debut after making an impact from the bench in the second half of the 2-0 home win against Huddersfield.