Former Albion prospect Michael Standing is desperate to work his way back into Bradford's starting line-up.

He is eager to feature in Saturday's showdown at Withdean, seven months after snubbing a chance to rejoin the Seagulls.

The great nephew of Albion chairman Dick Knight has been forced to settle recently for a place on the bench with the Yorkshiremen. He was among the substitutes for Tuesday's 1-0 defeat at Reading and is battling to overcome a groin injury.

"Every season you look at a couple of games you really want to play in," Standing said. "A few weeks ago we had John Gregory come up with Derby, but I didn't get on.

"I am desperate to play in the Brighton game. Things are not going great for me at the moment, but I am keeping my head down and getting on with it.

"I've come here to play, which I am not doing, but that is the manager's decision. I just want to get back in as soon as I can."

Standing, signed on a free transfer from Aston Villa in March, hurt a hamstring in his first reserve team game for Bradford which ruled him out for the rest of last season.

He has started only four matches so far, the last of them in the Worthington Cup exit against Wrexham.

Standing trained with Albion last Christmas when he was trying to get away from Villa.

Peter Taylor wanted to sign him for the rest of the campaign before the transfer deadline, but he opted instead for the security of a three-year contract with Bradford.

Albion's former centre of excellence midfielder and England schoolboy international has strong family connections with the Seagulls stretching well beyond his association with the chairman.

His uncle Kevin Keehan is the club's commercial manager, brother John and cousins Kevin and Joe Keehan play at the centre of excellence and another cousin, Victoria Edwards, works with Knight at the club office.

The 21-year-old from Shoreham is still a fan and he is hoping Steve Coppell can turn things around.

"He has been in similar situations before and has always done quite well. If anyone is going to get them out of trouble then he will.

"They've also got a goalscorer in Bobby Zamora which always makes a big difference.

"He is fit now and if he starts popping in a few goals then it won't take a lot, just a couple of wins, to hopefully get them going again."

Albion have gone eight League games without a win at Withdean and lost their last six since beating Bristol City in April.

Bradford, meanwhile, have lost their last five away from home including a Worthington Cup exit at Third Division Wrexham.

"I'm surprised they are struggling so much at home," Standing said. "It's a horrible ground, like something out of the Third Division or non-League and I thought a lot of teams would go there and not fancy it at all.

"I cannot believe they haven't beaten anyone at Withdean yet, but I just hope we are not the first."