Albion boss Steve Coppell has warned the red-hot start to the season could be cooled by the Ice Man.

Barnsley, managed by Coppell's old rival Gudjon Thordarson, stand between the table-topping Seagulls and a hat-trick of League victories at Oakwell tomorrow.

Albion also won at Bristol Rovers in the Carling Cup, but Coppell said: "Three games means nothing. A good start is important, but it is 46 League games in all conditions.

"There is a long way to go. We've put these games to bed now and we look forward to the Bank Holiday weekend fixtures. Barnsley will be a test for us, that's for sure."

Coppell last locked horns with Thordarson two seasons ago, when his Brentford side lost to Stoke in the Second Division play-off final.

He expects the Icelander's latest club to be tough to crack after watching Barnsley draw at Bournemouth last Saturday.

"He (Thordarson) has brought a few tried and tested players in there, like Peter Handyside and the fullback from Grimsby Tony Gallimore.

"The goalkeeper Sasa Ilic had a super game against Bournemouth and he has got exciting players up front with loads of pace. Kevin Betsy was at Fulham and Woking, Dean Gorre scored a great goal and the kid Rory Fallon at centre forward looked a helluva handful."

Paul Watson was able to train yesterday, despite suffering from sore foot arches, so Albion are expected to be unchanged.

Full match preview in The Argus