Albion captain Danny Cullip is ready to help make Withdean a First Division fortress.

The influential centre half is expected to return for tonight's opening home match of the season against Coventry.

Cullip missed Saturday's promising 3-1 win at Burnley with a stomach upset. Youngster Adam Hinshelwood, the nephew of manager Martin, had an outstanding debut in his place, but Cullip is on course for his comeback.

Assistant boss Bob Booker revealed: "Danny was in no fit state to travel last Friday, but he is feeling a lot brighter.

"He trained yesterday and he came in on Sunday as well, so he should be fit for selection."

Albion trained at Withdean yesterday to remind themselves of their unique surroundings in the absence of any home pre-season friendlies.

The Seagulls have lost only three League matches there in the last two seasons on their way to the Second and Third Division championships.

"Hopefully it's going to play a part in Division One as well, with the fans getting behind us and surroundings that we are used to," said Booker.

"We are going to play away in a lot of big stadiums now, which we are going to relish, but we are used to Withdean and we have got a good record there. The lads are proud of it and they are not going to give it up easily.

"The Burnley game hasn't been discussed that much. They just came in yesterday and went about their business. They are just looking forward to the next one now and being the first home game they want to put on another show."

The show will not go on for the unfortunate Steve Melton. He was forced off at Burnley with a hamstring injury after scoring the first goal.

Paul Rogers took his place on the left side of a three-man midfield and the club captain is in line for his first start since February 9, with Nathan Jones (knee) still out.

Coventry have Blackburn-bound David Thompson and Moroccan Youssef Safri back from bans and player-manager Gary McAllister pulling the strings in midfield following Saturday's 2-1 home victory over Sheffield United, but Belgian Laurent Delorge is missing with a gashed leg.

"They have a lot of quality," Booker said. "The manager has played at the highest level throughout his career and I am sure he will instill those sort of standards into his players.

"We had them watched on Saturday and it is going to be a tough one."

Big match preview at thisisthealbion.co.uk