Paul Brooker is warning against sky-high expectations tonight as he returns to the scene of his Albion debut.

Northampton are bottom without a point and have yet to score a League goal at Sixfields Stadium.

Brooker knows Albion's 1,250 supporters making the journey up the M1 will be looking forward to the first away win of the season.

They will not be anticipating a repeat of the harsh 1-0 defeat at Northampton 18 months ago, which launched the former Fulham forward's career with the unbeaten Seagulls.

"We played a lot of good football in that game, had a few chances of scoring and were very unlucky to lose," said Brooker.

"The fans are going to look at the table and see us up there and Northampton with four games and four losses, but they are a decent side.

"They will be up to try and beat us and it certainly won't be the walkover everyone expects. I think it will be a really tough game."

Brooker's cautionary message has been reiterated by boss Micky Adams.

"The big danger is looking at the League table," he said. "Northampton are bottom after four games and I don't really think that is relevant.

"They've had a couple of years in the Second Division, so they know what it's all about.

"We were well down in the pecking order last season after four games and the time we become cocky and complacent is the time we will get our backsides kicked."

Brooker finished Monday's victory over Blackpool in a free role behind a front pair of Bobby Zamora and Lee Steele.

That could well continue providing Zamora is fit to play. The Argus revealed in yesterday's late editions that he suffered a groin injury in training.

Albion will go top if they win after Bristol City failed to maintain their 100 per cent start last night. Danny Wilson's side were held to a goalless draw away to QPR, who had Ben Askar sent-off in the 47th minute.

Tickets for the Worthington Cup tie against Southampton will now go on sale to Away Scheme members next Thursday (10am) with general sale from Monday, September 10.