Gus Poyet has warned purring Albion to expect a backlash from the Black Cats at The Amex tonight.

And he would prefer three points against Peterborough on Saturday to a Carling Cup giant-killing against Sunderland.

The Seagulls head into the second round showdown with Steve Bruce’s side buoyed by their flying start in the Championship of ten points from 12. Their perfect record was wrecked by Blackpool recovering from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 but Sunderland will be smarting even more after losing 1-0 at home to bitter north-east rivals Newcastle at the weekend.

Poyet said: “I think it is going to be a special game, first because of the position we are in and the confidence that everything is going allright, second because it’s against a Premiership team who, unfortunately for them, have just lost a derby.

“I am expecting a massive reaction from them. I don’t know if it is going to be the same team or they are going to make changes but they are still Premiership players.

“It’s a tough game but at the same time I want people to enjoy it and the occasion because that is what the cup is about, playing big teams, having the chance to test yourself and to maybe beat a top team.”

Read the full story plus three pages previewing tonight's game in The Argus today