Albion were back to full strength for the top of the table clash against Danny Wilson's Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Danny Cullip returned to the centre of defence after missing the last two matches with a knee injury.

He joined forces again with his regular partner Simon Morgan, who missed the second half of last Saturday's home League win against Colchester with concussion.

Cullip's comeback was at the expense of Matthew Wicks. He was not among the substitutes and neither was Paul Brooker.

Boss Peter Taylor opted on the bench for five of the fringe side which defeated Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 after extra time in the LDV Vans Trophy at Withdean on Tuesday.

That meant a return to the squad for Robbie Pethick, signed by ex-manager Micky Adams from Bristol Rovers in the summer.

Former Albion midfielder Wilson also fielded a makeshift line-up for Bristol's 2-0 victory at Southend in the LDV Vans Trophy four days ago.

They too were back to strength, with just one change to the team beaten 1-0 at Stoke last Saturday.

Tommy Doherty was preferred in the middle of the park to Joe Burnell, who was among the substitutes.

Wilson promised a hot reception for in-form Albion goalkeeper Michel Kuipers and the prolific Bobby Zamora, both of whom joined the Seagulls from City's arch-rivals Rovers.

Teams
Bristol City: Mike Stowell; Louis Carey, Mickey Bell, Scott Murray, Tony Thorpe, Brian Tinnion, Aaron Brown, Mark Lever, Matthew Hill, Tommy Doherty, Steve Jones. Subs: Phillips, Peacock, Burnell, Amankwaah, Coles.

Albion: Michel Kuipers; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Simon Morgan, Gary Hart, Charlie Oatway, Richard Carpenter, Lee Steele, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora. Subs: Crosby, Pitcher, Rogers, Lehmann, Pethick.

Referee: Mr D. Elleray (Harrow).