Albion boss Steve Coppell is happy for his side to be underdogs tomorrow against Harry Redknapp's star-studded pacesetters.

"I think we've changed our name to Brighton 9-2, because we are 9-2 to get a victory in almost every game," he joked.

"I am sure we will be at least that in this one and that is a good position to be in.

"I've got great respect for what Harry has done there, transforming the team with a lot of players coming in. It shows what can be done in a short period of time.

"I felt last summer with ITV Digital going bust it was a great time for somebody to speculate to accumulate and spend money not in the transfer market but on wages.

"There were players available on sizeable wages in First Division terms but not costing a lot in fees. I think Harry is the accepted master of that form of trade.

"He's done amazingly well with the money available to him and created a team that, although stuttering a little bit at the moment, are still a quality side.

"We will have to be at our best to beat them, but that's our target. We have played well in recent games. If we maintain the standard of football we are playing I'm convinced it's a matter of time before we get the right results."

Rib injury victim Paul Kitson resumed light training yesterday and is likely to return to the squad.

Yakubu Ayegbeni makes his debut up front for Portsmouth while Jason Crowe comes in for the injured Gianluca Festa.