Gus Poyet has promised Albion’s players an easy introduction when they report back for pre-season today.

But they could be seeing at least one new face before too long as work starts towards the 2012-13 campaign.

Albion are back at work this morning, midway through the longest break in league fixtures for years.

They have not played a Championship game for more than eight weeks and it is almost another eight before the new season opens at Hull City.

But the first friendly, at Maidstone, is now less than three weeks away.

Albion boss Poyet said: “This week is all about coming back to start training, start feeling the muscles and do a few tests.

“We made a decision on the length of the holiday and, for us, it was too long.

“You give players an off-season fitness programme and they have been doing that.

“But we decided to do the last week of off-season together.”

Tommy Elphick, Gordon Greer and Ryan Harley were all absent through injury at the end of last season but Poyet said: “Everyone is fit to start training.”

Spanish star Vicente is expected to join the Albion squad this week and there could be signings.

Asked last night if there would be new faces in addition to goalkeeper Tomasz Kuszczak, Poyet said: “Maybe something but we are not 100% sure yet.”

Albion will start selling tickets on Sunday for the friendly against Chelsea.

Capacity for the game on August 4 will be limited to 18,000 with Chelsea receiving 4,000 tickets in the West Stand Upper.

Albion fans will be in the North Stand and the lower tiers in the East and West Stands. Tickets are priced £30 for adults, £20 for over-65s and £15 for under-16s.

Tickets are initially available to 2012-13 season ticket holders with 1,050 loyalty points or more. They can buy online from 10am on Sunday – and in person at both ticket offices, as well as by phone on 0844 327 1901 from next Monday.

For full details of the selling process go to seagulls.co.uk Albion have increased ticket prices for next season at The Amex but stress the new figures include a transport levy – and make season tickets better value.

The increases are £4 for adults, £3 for seniors, £2 for under-18s and £1 for under-16s. Prices include a transport levy of £2 for adults and seniors and £1 for under-18s and younger age groups.

Albion have about 1,000 season tickets left. They can be ordered on 0844 327 1901.

The selling process is staggered with tickets initially available to 2012-13 season ticket holders with 1050 loyalty points or more. They can buy online from 10am on Sunday and in person at both ticket offices, as well as over the phone on 0844 327 1901, from 9.30am next Monday.

For full details of the selling process go to seagulls.co.uk