DARRAGH Ryan has won a 16-month fight to regain a place in Albion's starting line-up.

The teenager makes only his second full appearance tonight on the left side of midfield as the Seagulls try to stop the rot against next-to-top Cardiff at the Priestfield Stadium (7.45).

Ryan's only previous start ironically came in the home game against Cardiff in November 1997, which Albion lost 1-0.

The 18-year-old son of former Seagulls favourite Gerry Ryan scored on his away debut as a substitute at Scunthorpe a week later.

Then, in a chilling repeat of the injury which ended his dad's career, the Eire youth international broke a leg at Peterborough the Christmas before last.

He made his first appearance in the first team since as a late sub against Leyton Orient two games ago and now he has been rewarded for coming on to score in Saturday's 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe.

Boss Jeff Wood said: "Darragh has done ever so well, especially when you think he only had the pin taken out of his leg at Christmas.

"We need a little bit more width and this is a real chance for him to grab an opportunity."

Stuart Storer, sidelined from the Scunthorpe setback through suspension and fit-again after gashing a knee in training, also returns tonight in the right wingback role.

Ross Johnson is ruled out by a back injury and Lawrence Davies is relegated to the bench.

Jamie Moralee is excluded from the squad altogether following his swift red card on Saturday.

Wood is urging Albion to keep it clean as they attempt to revive their promotion challenge. They are still in touch with the play-offs despite four straight defeats, but almost all of the teams above them have matches in hand.

"Getting something out of this game is of paramount importance," Wood said. "Some of the goals we are giving away are down to schoolboy errors and we have got to start by keeping a clean sheet."

Albion: Ormerod; Culverhouse, Sturgess, Arnott, Bennett, Hobson, Storer, Ryan, Hart, Barker, Nicholls. Subs: Armstrong, Davies + Allan, Browne or Ansah.

Cardiff (probable): Hallworth; Delaney, Legg, Eckhardt, Mitchell, Young, Carpenter, Fowler, Middleton, Bowen, Nugent. Subs (from): Williams, O'Sullivan, Hill, Bonner, Thomas, Jarman.

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