Matt Sparrow has been restored to the Albion starting line-up for their clash at Cardiff tonight.

The midfielder comes in for Will Buckley while summer signing Will Hoskins is among the subs after recovering from a hip injury.

It is the first time Hoskins has featured in the squad for a competitive fixture with the Seagulls.

Buckley misses out with a hamstring injury although the winger could be back in time for the home game with Blackpool on Saturday.

This is Albion's first ever visit to the impressive Cardiff City Stadium, where the Bluebirds were on song in beating Bristol City 3-1 before more than 22,000 fans on Sunday.

Midfielder Aron Gunnarson rolled an ankle in that game and is replaced by Joe Mason.

Cardiff: Marshall; McNaughton, Hudson, Gerrard, Taylor; Cowie, Whittingham, Mason, Conway; Earnshaw, Miller. Subs: Heaton, Quinn, Gestede, Keinan, Blake.

Albion: Ankergren; Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Painter; Bridcutt, Vincelot, Dicker, Sparrow; Mackail-Smith, Barnes. Subs: Brezovan, Cook, Navarro, Noone, Hoskins.

Referee: Keith Stroud (Dorset)