Albion welcome back Bobby Zamora for today's clash against rampant Reading at a sold out Withdean.

The Seagulls' goal king has been carrying ankle, heel and hamstring knocks in recent matches.

Zamora's multiple injury problems ruled him out of Wednesday's first defeat in five games for Steve Coppell's rejuvenated side at Nottingham Forest.

Albion have lost eight and won only three of the 15 League matches Zamora has missed since joining the club, which emphasises his importance to the team.

He was on target in the 3-1 victory against Reading at Withdean in February which helped Albion to the Second Division title, while the Royals finished runners-up.

Coppell makes one other change to the team beaten 3-2 at the City Ground in midweek.

Richard Carpenter returned to the centre of midfield at the expense of Charlie Oatway, who was given a specific man marking job at Forest on their third goal scorer Jack Lester.

Oatway was joined on the bench by Paul Brooker, who made way for Zamora.

Coppell watched unchanged Reading's 1-0 win at his old club Crystal Palace on Tuesday.

That was their fifth victory on the trot without conceding a goal, a mean record largely attributable to the form of loan signing Matthew Upson from Arsenal and American custodian Marcus Hahnemann.

Nicky Forster scored the only goal at Selhurst Park for Alan Pardew's men.

Pardew hit the winner when Coppell's Palace beat Liverpool 4-3 in a thrilling F.A. Cup semi final in 1990.

Such a goal feast seems implausible today. Reading arrived with the best defensive record in the First Division, having let in just 14 goals in 19 games and only six in nine away from the Madejski Stadium.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Robbie Pethick, Nathan Jones, Richard Carpenter, Simon Rodger, Steve Sidwell, Gary Hart, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Butters, Oatway, Brooker, Packham, Webb.

Reading: Marcus Hahnemann; Graeme Murty, Nicky Shorey, Kevin Watson, Tony Rougier, Adrian Williams, Nicky Forster, Andy Hughes, James Harper, John Salako, Matthew Upson. Subs: Mackie, Butler, Cureton, Ashdown, Newman.

Referee: Mr M. Messias (York).