Albion welcome back Dean Blackwell as they bid to wreck Leicester's promotion party at a wintry Walkers Stadium.

The former Wimbledon centre half missed the 2-1 win at Reading and last Saturday's 2-0 home defeat against Preston with an ankle injury.

Boss Steve Coppell brought Blackwell straight back into the team to try and help cope with Leicester's aerial strength and power at set pieces.

Blackwell is not exactly a giant at six foot one inches, but that still makes him one of the biggest players in the Seagulls' squad.

The return of Blackwell at the expense of Graham Barrett saw Coppell revert back to the system of three central defenders which has generally proved so effective since November.

Barrett's relegation to the bench meant there was no place in the 16-man party for Robbie Pethick.

Leicester chief and former Albion manager Micky Adams had the extra incentive of knowing victory against his old club would not only clinch promotion for the Foxes but take them back to the top of the table as well.

They went into the match two points behind Portsmouth following already promoted Pompey's 3-0 defeat at Ipswich on Good Friday.

Adams named the team which stretched their unbeaten run to 14 games with a 1-1 draw at Rotherham last Saturday.

Northern Ireland International Gerry Taggart recovered from a groin injury to take his place at the heart of the back four alongside the towering Matt Elliott.

Brian Deane was back in contention after four matches out with a torn calf muscle, but Adams stuck with the Little and Large forward partnership of Trevor Benjamin and ex-Seagull Paul Dickov.

Deane, who scored the only goal at Withdean just before Christmas, was among the replacements, while Billy McKinlay was ruled out by a hamstring strain.

The warm sunshine of Good Friday was replaced by grey skies and a bitterly cold wind, but a red hot atmosphere was guaranteed by a sell-out 32,000 crowd, including 2,000 Albion fans.

Albion: Dave Beasant; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Dean Blackwell, Gary Hart, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Ivar Ingimarsson, Bobby Zamora, Simon Rodger.

Subs: Oatway, Jones, Packham, Kitson, Barrett.

Leicester: Ian Walker; Frank Sinclair, Matthew Elliott, Gerry Taggart, Callum Davidson, Jordan Stewart, Muzzy Izzet, Alan Rogers, Paul Dickov, Trevor Benjamin, James Scowcroft.

Subs: Deane, Impey, Heath, Wright, Summerbee.

Referee: Mr. M. Ryan (Lancashire).