Paul Rogers returned to the Albion line-up on a revenge mission against relegation-threatened Cambridge United.

The veteran midfielder was back from a two-match ban for Albion's clash against the club with the worst away record in the country.

Rogers missed the defeats by Wigan and Preston following his second red card of the season against Chesterfield just before Christmas.

The first came at Cambridge United on the opening day, when he was sent off for two bookable offences in quick succession in a 0-0 draw.

Rogers was also in a makeshift Seagulls side knocked out of the LDV Vans Trophy at Cambridge last month.

He was among a trio of changes made to the team by boss Peter Taylor following Tuesday's FA Cup exit by Preston.

Simon Royce, whose loan spell from Leicester is due to expire next week, returned in goal for his first Withdean appearance and there was an immediate recall for the left-sided Nathan Jones.

The absentees from Tuesday were captain Charlie Oatway, young striker Daniel Webb and rookie keeper Will Packham, who gifted Preston their second goal.

Oatway received a battering against North End and had to be substituted early in the second half, but he was able to train on Thursday.

Webb was joined on the bench by regular No. 1 Michel Kuipers. His pulled thigh muscle caused Taylor to draft in Royce and the big Dutchman's proposed comeback against Preston was dashed by a back spasm.

Cambridge made two changes to the side beaten 2-0 at home last Saturday by fellow strugglers Notts County, which left them a point and a place off the bottom.

They welcomed back experienced skipper Paul Wanless to the middle of midfield and former Lincoln defender Terry Fleming.

Teenage leftback Freddie Murray, on loan from Blackburn, was ruled out by a hamstring injury while Alex Revell was relegated to the bench.

Cambridge went into the match with only one away point out of a possible 36, at Blackpool in September.

Albion were desperate for a win to get their promotion challenge back on track, with defender Simon Morgan yesterday describing the game as easily their most important of the season.

Albion: Simon Royce; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Simon Morgan, Paul Rogers, Gary Hart, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Kuipers, Steele, Virgo, Pethick, Webb.

Cambridge United: Lionel Perez; Ian Ashbee, Andrew Duncan, Stevland Angus, Paul Wanless, Terry Fleming, Luke Guttridge, Tony Scully, Shane Tudor, Adam Tann, Daniel Chillingworth. Subs: Youngs, Marshall, Ravell, Mustoe, One.

Referee: Mr P. Prosser (Gloucester).