Albion have kept faith with midfielder Romain Vincelot for today's game at Portsmouth.
The versatile Frenchman, who started against Gillingham in midweek, makes his Championship debut at Fratton Park.
Craig Mackail-Smith returns from international duty and Craig Noone drops to the bench.
Winger Kazenga LuaLua, who has been struggling with a tight hamstring, is saved for the midweek trip to Cardiff City.
About 3,000 travelling fans will roar on the Seagulls today while Portsmouth have laid out 17,000 flags for their supporters to wave.
The hosts are missing defender Jason Pearce, the summer signing from Bournemouth who completes a three-match ban imposed when he was sent-off in last season's play-offs by today's referee Neil Swarbrick.
Dave Kitson, red-carded at Withdean in January, is only on the bench as Kanu starts for the first time this season.
Portsmouth: Ashdown; Ben Haim, Mokoena, Halford, Hreidarsson; Mullins, Ward, Norris; Lawrence, Kanu, Varney. Subs: Henderson, Williams, Rocha, Dailly, Kitson.
Albion: Ankergren; Calderon, Greer, Dunk, Painter; Bridcutt, Vincelot, Dicker, Buckley; Barnes, Mackail-Smith. Subs: Brezovan, Noone, Sparrow, Navarro, Cook.
Referee: Neil Swarbrick (Preston).
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