Albion are giving a trial to former Wimbledon and Crystal Palace utility player Andy Roberts.

He started training with the Seagulls yesterday and plays in a friendly at St Leonards tonight.

Roberts has been training by himself since parting company with Wimbledon.

He is not match fit at the moment but has plenty of Division One and Premier League experience and has been transferred in the past for fees totalling almost £4 million.

Manager Martin Hinshelwood said: "We are going into it with an open mind. He looks a long way from being fit enough, but it is an opportunity for us to have a look at him.

"He can play in midfield or at centre half and he has a good pedigree."

Dartford-born Roberts kicked off his career at Millwall. Palace bought the 28-year-old for £2.52 million in July 1995 and he made over 100 League appearances for Albion's arch rivals before a £1.2 million move to Wimbledon in March 1998 as a replacement for Vinny Jones.

Roberts, an ex-England under-21 international, played against Albion in the Dons' 2-1 Worthington Cup defeat at Withdean at the start of last season, when he also had a spell on loan at Norwich.

He lines-up in the middle of the back four tonight alongside Adam Virgo in a team comprising of mainly young first team fringe players but which also includes experienced club captain Paul Rogers.

Dean White takes charge of the Albion side against brother Glyn, who is manager of St Leonards.

Glyn said: "All my life I've been trying to beat my brother. When we were growing up Dean was usually just that bit better than me at most sports.

"With Dean now being manager of Brighton reserves this will certainly be a pre-season friendly with a family edge to make it more interesting."

Albion have been boosted by a ban blow for Burnley ahead of Saturday's Division One opener at Turf Moor.

Their Republic of Ireland international left winger Alan Moore is suspended as a result of a red card against Wolves at the end of last season.

Albion's latest pre-season friendly kicks off at 7.45pm.

Albion XI: Packham; A. Hinshelwood, Virgo, Roberts, Harding, Hammond, Rogers, Pitcher, Lee, McPhee, Marney.