Albion will give Michel Kuipers centre stage at The Amex tonight.

But Gus Poyet insists their former goalkeeper’s testimonial against Reading (7.45pm) is a key part of their countdown to the new season.

Kuipers is expected to start against the Premier League newcomers.

Kazenga LuaLua and Wayne Bridge could be fit to return after injury.

Chart topping rapper Wiley will perform on the pitch before kick-off.

But Poyet insists this is more than a party for long-serving keeper Kuipers.

The Albion boss said: “We are very fortunate Michel had the opportunity to bring a team like Reading down here.

“It’s an important game for us. We will take it very seriously.”

Albion will check on Craig Mackail-Smith today but the striker’s back injury has already cost him a place in Scotland’s squad to play Australia next week.

Reading will be as strong as possible but Jimmy Kebe, Jason Roberts and summer signing Chris Gunter are all injured.

Recent additions Pavel Podgrebnyak, Danny Guthrie and Garath McCleary will be in action Tickets will remain on sale all day via seagulls.co.uk.

The same website has details of travel arrangements. The usual park and ride sites are not in operation tonight.