Rooky defender Adam Hinshelwood made a shock debut for Albion today on their return to Division One.

Manager Martin Hinshelwood drafted in his nephew for the trip to Turf Moor in the absence of unwell Captain Danny Cullip.

A stomach bug struck down several players this week and Cullip did not recover in time.

It was a massive blow for the Seagulls and Hinshelwood's inclusion in the centre of defence to partner Robbie Pethick, rather than the marginally more experienced Adam Virgo, was a brave decision by his uncle.

Hinshelwood, a 17-year-old still eligible for the Youth Team, impressed during Albion's pre-season programme.

His selection emphasised that Albion's new boss, promoted from the role of Director of Youth, will not be afraid to throw the kids into the heat of the First Division battle.

Albion otherwise lined up as expected. Michel Kuipers was back between the posts following a recurrence of thigh trouble with trialist Andy Petterson, signed for a month as cover, on the bench.

Charlie Oatway regained the captaincy in Cullip's absence and Steve Melton was included on the left side of a three-man midfield, with Nathan Jones still sidelined by a knee injury.

A lot of responsibility rested on the shoulders of Pethick in particular and Melton, the only Albion players with previous experience of playing in the First Division.

Burnley, denied a play-off place last season by the wafer thin margin of a single goal, are operating with a reduced squad this time after releasing six senior professionals in the summer.

Injuries ruled Brad Maylett and Gordon Armstrong out of Stan Ternent's side, while Alan Moore was serving the last of a three-match ban.

Paul Weller, Burnley's Brighton born midfielder, was a surprise inclusion among the substitutes having originally ruled himself out because of a foot injury.

The Seagulls return to the First Division for the first time in a decade was launched at the second oldest ground in the country on a grey Lancashire day. Turf Moore has been vastly improved since their previous visit, a 3-0 defeat in October 1995.

Albion were flying high before a ball had been kicked, inspite of the absence of Cullip and any new signings.

They prepared for the match by jetting up to Manchester yesterday with British Airways.

Referee Tony Bates was in charge when Albion clinched the Second Division title with a 0-0 draw at home to Swindon in April.

Brighton: Kuipers, Watson, Mayo, Hinshelwood, Pethick, Oatway, Carpenter, Melton, Hart, Brooker, Zamora. Subs: Rogers, Wilkinson, Marney, Virgo, Petterson.

Burnley: Michopoulos, West, Branch, Stephen Davis, Gnohere, Blake, Grant, Briscoe, Little, Ian Moore, Taylor. Subs: Cook, Payton, Cox, Weller, Papadopoulos.

Referee: A Bates (Staffordshire)