Chris Hughton has reassured skipper Bruno he still has a big role to play in Albion’s season.

The veteran Spaniard, out of contract in the summer, returns to lead the team against Coventry City in the fifth round of the FA Cup at the Amex today.

Bruno, 37, has been kept out of the side by a combination of a minor back problem and the form of Ezequiel Schelotto since the defeat at West Brom five weeks ago.

Hughton told The Argus: “He has still got a a big role.

“Apart from the fact that he still is a very good player, he is our captain.

“Sometimes that can happen, with a little bit of momentum. Schelotto is in the team and we have gone through a decent run and I haven’t changed too much.

“But Bruno is a big part here and our thoughts about him haven’t changed one little bit.”

Hughton will warn his players not to hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons as the victims of a big upset.

They are 1-3 favourites with bookmakers to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 32 years against League Two Coventry.

The Sky Blues are 63 places below them in the pyramid but will be roared on by more than 4,500 supporters.

Hughton said: “We are at home so we’ll be favourites, we have to expect that.

“But we have all been on the end of home games where lower league opposition come and make an incredible account of themselves and come away as winners.

“Even though you have to speak about the qualities we’ve got, we’re at home and have confidence at the moment, there’s going to be an incredibly motivated Coventry team that turn up and anything can happen.

“You have to pre-warn your players for those that have been in that position before. Some maybe haven’t.”