Albion were bugged by illness for Saturday's must-win final home fixture against mid-table Watford.

Paul Brooker and Richard Carpenter were both ruled out by a virus.

Steve Coppell's assistant Bob Booker has been laid low by the same illness for the past week, but he was back on duty.

The absence from the starting line up of Carpenter for only the second time this season and of Brooker meant a return for Gary Hart and Nathan Jones for his first start since February 3.

Coppell switched to 4-4-2 as a result, with Ivar Ingimarsson moving into midfield.

The Icelandic international, making the last appearance of his loan spell from Wolves, has been operating as a centre half since joining the Seagulls in February.

The onus was on Jones and Hart on the flanks to provide the ammunition for Bobby Zamora and Paul Kitson.

Dave Beasant recovered from a bruised thigh, sustained in the early stages of Monday's 1-1 home draw with Sheffield Wednesday, to keep his place in goal.

Young understudy Will Packham was among the replacements and there were recalls to the bench for Robbie Pethick and Shaun Wilkinson.

Coppell's close friend Ray Lewington has been ringing the changes at Watford recently.

He made ten for Monday's 2-0 victory against Derby at Vicarage Road and seven more today.

There was a more experienced look about the Watford line-up, with captain Neil Cox among those returning.

Promise was still present in the shape of youngster Sam Swonnell, making his full debut in the middle of the park.

Albion captain Danny Cullip collected the player-of-the-season awards before kick-off.

Cullipp, who topped the fans' poll ahead of Kerry Mayo and Carpenter, was presented with a colour TV by Angelo Cavello on behalf of sponsors Topolino Duo restaurant, plus a silver salver from the club.

Cullip also beat Zamora for the Junior Seagulls award.

Albion: Dave Beasant; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Dean Blackwell, Gary Hart, Nathan Jones, Ivar Ingimarsson, Bobby Zamora, Paul Kitson, Simon Rodger. Subs: Oatway, Pethick, Wilkinson, Packham, Barrett.

Watford: Alec Chamberlain; Neal Ardley, Paul Robinson, Neil Cox, Tommy Smith, Wayne Brown, Stephen Glass, Gavin Mahon, Richard Johnson, Jason Norville, Sam Swonnell. Subs: Fisken, Lee, J. Smith, Godfrey, Fitzgerald.

Referee: E. Wolstelnholme (Lancashire).