Dave Beasant makes his Albion debut and is Steve Coppell's only change to the team which held Portsmouth to a 1-1 draw two weeks ago.

Beasant's inclusion writes him into club folklore as the veteran goalkeeper becomes the second oldest player in the Seagulls' history behind Sam Cowan.

Beasant, signed for the rest of the season from Wigan, makes his 758th League appearance, aged 43 and 319 days.

Cowan was 44 and 156 days when he played for Albion in 1945.

The much travelled former England shop-stopper was hoping for a repeat of the result on his last visit to the Bescot Stadium, a 2-0 win three years ago during his time with Nottingham Forest.

Paul Kitson's injury ravaged career with Albion took another dramatic twist before the kick-off.

Kitson, listed among the substitutes, hurt himself in the warm-up which meant a last gasp call-up to the bench for club captain Paul Rogers.

Kitson went off with a hamstring injury shortly after scoring his first goal for the club in the Reserves against Bristol Rovers at Worthing on Wednesday.

Injury problems including a back operation have restricted the former West Ham marksman to only four starts since he was signed in August.

There was better news for Simon Rodger, however, who despite limping ouyt of the midweek reserves fixture with a back problem was passed fit to take over from groin victim John Piercy on the bench.

Walsall made a couple of changes to the team which beat Wimbledon 1-0 at home in the FA Cup last Saturday to clinch a fifth round trip to Sheffield United.

Captain Martin O'Connor returned from a ban in place of the suspended Darren Wrack.

Steve Corica was back to join fellow Australian David Zdrilic in the starting line-up at the expense of combative midfielder Fitzroy Simpson.

Corica and Portuguese striker Jorge Leitao scored early on in Walsall's 2-0 win at Withdean in August.

Referee Mike Jones did not take long to give the game the go ahead following a 9.30am inspection.

The overnight snow in the West Midlands had disappeared as the players warmed up in bright sunshine on a pitch completely re-layed since the Wimbledon match.

Albion: Dave Beasant; Paul Watson, Kerry Mayo, Danny Cullip, Charlie Oatway, Paul Brooker, Richard Carpenter, Robbie Pethick, Nathan Jones, Bobby Zamora, Graham Barrett. Subs: Blackwell, Hart, Packham, Kitson, Rodger.

Walsall: Jimmy Walker; Darren Bazeley, Zigor Aranalde, Danny Hay, Ian Roper, Martin O'Connor, Jorge Leitao, Steve Corica, David Zdrilic, Tony Barras, Danny Sonner. Subs: Ward, Carbon, Simpson, Javary, Emblen.

Referee: Mr M Jones (Chester).