Albion midfielder Ryan Harley insists he has nothing to prove to his home club Bristol City.

Harley makes a poignant return to Ashton Gate on Saturday for his away debut for the table-topping Seagulls as they return to action after the international break.

The 26-year-old has made an eyecatching start to his Albion career. He helped Gus Poyet's side knock Sunderland out of the Carling Cup and scored a spectacular free-kick on his first Championship outing to clinch three points against Peterborough at The Amex.

The trip west to familiar territory holds no fears for Harley following his £250,000 move from Swansea.

The former Exeter playmaker said: “Being a Bristol boy who played for them it will be another special game.

“I’ve had a good career since I’ve come into the Football League, so I don’t think I have got anything to prove to anyone, but of course I want to go there and do well, the same as in any game.”

Harley is philosophical about the disappointments he suffered with City.

He featured in three victories the season after their play-off final defeat by Albion at the Millennium Stadium and spent a month on loan at Forest Green Rovers.

“I had been there from the age of seven or eight and gradually came through the ranks from youth team to first team and played a few games, which was good,” he said.

“It wasn’t to be. I was young and had a lot of injuries, while different managers came in with their own style, so I left there when I was 21 and moved on with my career.”