Peter Brezovan's return in goal for Albion in yesterday's 3-0 win against Southampton was in doubt - because he is about to become a dad.

Brezovan made his first appearance of the season in the victory at The Amex in place of Casper Ankergren.

Boss Gus Poyet revealed to The Argus: "For the last week Peter has been waiting for his wife to have a baby, every day. I needed to wait until 1.30 to tell him he was playing. The baby was due three or four days ago, so we were all thinking 'come on girl, go on!'

"A few of the players had the chance of their lives. I am talking about people like Cooky, Peter Brezovan and Jake (Forster) Caskey, Bucker (Will Buckley) and Kazenga (LuaLua).

"You need to take it and we took it. We knew it would be difficult but that sooner or later we would have our chance. There is no better away for Brighton, apart from beating Palace, to start the year off than beating Southampton 3-0, so I'm delighted."

Striker Billy Paynter, an unused substitute yesterday, has been sent back to Leeds on the expiry of his loan spell.

Poyet said: "He was a terrific professional. He adapted to us very well. He tried his best. Sometimes in football it doesn't work.

"We are going to keep an eye on him, because I think it's a matter of time before he is back to scoring goals."