Albion have brought back Gaetan Bong for a first start in more than six months as they kick-off their play-off campaign.

Steve Sidwell, as expected, replaces the banned Dale Stephens in midfield and they retain two up front for tonight’s semi-final first leg at Sheffield Wednesday.

Jiri Skalak returns to the left flank in place of former Sheffield United man Jamie Murphy.

Bong’s season at left-back has been seriously interrupted by a thigh injury.

He last started a game on October 24, when the Seagulls drew 0-0 at home to Preston.

The former Wigan man replaces Liam Rosenior, who is among the subs.

Rosenior was limping heavily after the 1-1 draw at Middlesbrough on Saturday and put it down to stiffness after a tough battle.

Sheffield Wednesday make a full 11 changes to the side which lost at Wolves on Saturday, when Carlos Carvalhal rested his frontline players in readiness for tonight.

Their one alteration to the XI which beat Cardiff 3-0 last time here sees wideman Ross Wallace, back from a ban, replace Lucas Joao.

Former Albion loanee Joe Bennett is absent with a knee injury.

Sheffield Wednesday (4-4-2): Westwood; Hunt, Lees, Loovens, Pudil; Wallace, Lee, Lopez, Bannan; Hooper, Forestieri. Subs: Wildsmith, Hutchinson, Matias, Sasso, Helan, Joao, Nuhiu.

Albion (4-4-2): Stockdale, Bruno, Goldson, Greer, Bong; Knockaert, Sidwell, Kayal, Skalak; Baldock, Hemed. Subs: Maenpaa, Calderon, Rosenior, Towell, LuaLua, Murphy, Wilson.

Ref: Andre Marriner (Sheldon, West Midlands)