Albion are holding Bobby Zamora back from the beginning of their pre-season programme.

The Seagulls' star striker is expected to return to the club on Monday or Tuesday, but he will not feature in Wednesday's opening friendly at Arundel.

Assistant manager Bob Booker said: "We will ease Bobby back in. He is not the type of player that needs a lot of work."

Zamora was given extra time off by boss Steve Coppell after linking up with the England under-21s beyond the finish of the domestic season.

Dean Blackwell will be another absentee from the Arundel match.

The central defender has minor exploratory surgery on Monday on the knee injury he suffered in training after a scan proved inconclusive.

Former Albion coach Brian Eastick has been appointed as chief of Newcastle United's academy.

The 51-year-old worked alongside Mike Bailey at the Goldstone Ground.