Newly crowned manager of the month Gus Poyet is ready to reveal a ruthless streak - by dropping one of his Albion regulars.

The squad has been strengthened since the victory over Peterborough at The Amex a fortnight ago which took the Seagulls to the top of the table and clinched the award for Poyet.

Spanish star Vicente has been signed on a free transfer and Will Buckley and Romain Vincelot have recovered from injuries to be available for today’s visit to Bristol City.

Will Hoskins is also close to contention again, giving Poyet a wealth of options but some difficult decisions considering the reduction in the league from seven to five subs repeatedly criticised by the Uruguayan.

He said: “This weekend, for the first time maybe, one of the players that has been involved in every single game, on the pitch or on the bench, may be out of the squad.

“We said it would happen sooner or later and they need to take it. They know where they stand and they know we have got only 16 now.

“They know where they have to go and complain if they are not on the bench - not to the manager but the Football League and PFA.”

Second choice goalkeeper Peter Brezovan is guaranteed to be among the substitutes.

“Some of Albion’s rivals no longer name a keeper but Poyet will not gamble to squeeze another outfield player into the squad.

“No chance, I cannot sit on the bench and not have a goalkeeper,” he said. “We have got a few who think they are good in goal but they aren’t not going to take that risk.”

Poyet beat Southampton’s Nigel Adkins, Derby’s Nigel Clough and Tony Mowbray of Middlesbrough to the managerial accolade following Albion’s seven-match unbeaten start to the season in all competitions.

Four wins and a draw in the Championship have been accompanied by home wins against Gillingham and Sunderland in the Carling Cup to set up a third round tie against Liverpool at The Amex later this month.