Charlie Oatway is on course for a return to Albion's starting line-up against Burnley at Withdean today.

Oatway took over from broken-toe victim Simon Rodger in the second half of the Seagulls' 1-0 win at Norwich on Boxing Day.

Boss Steve Coppell has indicated the former skipper will deputise again for the ruled-out Rodger on the left side of midfield.

Albion defended valiantly in the second half at Carrow Road and Coppell said: "I am very loathe to change things after they worked so hard."

Coppell admits to some anxiety about playing Michel Kuipers in goal. The big Dutchman cannot kick after suffering a recurrence of right thigh trouble at Norwich.

"It's not an ideal situation as far as I am concerned," said Coppell.

"But I spoke to Michel yesterday and he is nowhere near as uncomfortable as I thought he would be."

Mid-table Burnley are managed by Stan Ternent, Coppell's assistant at Crystal Palace when they were promoted to the Premiership.

"We had a fair amount of success together and he was just a really good pal," said the Seagulls' chief.

"I am really pleased he went on to manage at Bury with great success on limited resources and now with Burnley.

"This division, as all the results showed on Boxing Day, is not predictable.

"We would love to build on the Norwich result with another victory, but each game has to be taken in isolation.

"We are playing against good opposition and they have fire power.

"If they fire, we will struggle to hold them."

Albion will depend heavily again on inspirational captain Danny Cullip as they try to repeat their 3-1 victory at Burnley on the opening day.

Cullip missed that match through injury, but he has been in outstanding form recently at the heart of the defence.

Steve Sidwell, the match winner at Norwich, said: "He is the backbone of the team.

"His all-round play is getting better and better and he leads by example.

"He gets everyone together and that togetherness can build like a 12th man."

Elsewhere at the foot of the table today third-bottom Stoke entertain rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday, while Grimsby host Norwich.

Follow today's action with our live text updates at thisisthealbion.co.uk