Albion boss Steve Coppell opted for the adage "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" for Saturday's clash against play-off prospects Nottingham Forest at Withdean.

He named the same starting 11 for the third match in succession as the Seagulls tried to continue their winning run at home.

Veteran goalkeeper Dave Beasant, 44 next Thursday, was bidding to complete a hat-trick of clean sheets at Withdean against one of his old clubs.

Bobby Zamora was partnered up front once more by Anthony Rougier, making the final home appearance of his month on loan from Reading.

Zamora, missing from Albion's 3-2 defeat at the City Ground in November, scored his 11th of the season in last Saturday's 2-0 win against Rotherham at Withdean.

The only change was on the bench, Gary Hart returning from a four-match ban at the expense of Shaun Wilkinson.

The good news for Coppell is that he has a clean bill of health for the relegation run-in.

Long-term injury victims Michel Kuipers and Paul Kitson are both back in full training while Robbie Pethick made his comeback from back trouble in the Reserves on Wednesday.

Forest, as expected, made one change to the team surprisingly held at home 2-2 by the Seagulls' fellow strugglers Grimsby on Monday.

Top scorer David Johnson made a speedier than expected recovery from knee surgery as a substitute in that match.

The 24-goal striker was in the starting line-up this time to form a prolific attacking trio with 16-goal Marlon Harewood and Darren Huckerby, on loan from Manchester City.

Norwegian Jon-Olav Hjelde was relegated to the bench, with Ricardo Scimeca reverting to the centre of defence to partner the highly rated Michael Dawson.

The Forest midfield included John Thompson and Andrew Reid, both Republic of Ireland colleagues of Albion sub Graham Barrett.

Forest were the first ever visitors to Withdean, for a pre-season friendly in August 1999.

The weather was similarly summery today but rather more was riding on the outcome this time.

Albion: Dave Beasant; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Dean Blackwell, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Ivar Ingimarsson, Bobby Zamora, Simon Rodger, Anthony Rougier. Subs: Hart, Oatway, Jones, Packham, Barrett.

Nottingham Forest: Darren Ward; Matthieu Louis-Jean, Jim Brennan, Riccardo (CORR) Scimeca, Darren Huckerby, Gareth Williams, David Johnson, Marlon Harewood, John Thompson, Michael Dawson, Andrew Reid. Subs: Hjelde, Lester, Roche, Doig, Jess.

Referee: R. Beeby (Northampton).