Albion to come face to face with old adversary

Brighton and Hove Albion will come face to face with an old adversary as they look to recover from a wretched result away to rock-bottom Blackpool.

Former Crystal Palace favourite Dougie Freedman will be taking charge of Nottingham Forest for the first time after replacing Stuart Pearce at the helm of the Tricky Trees.

Freedman was part of the Palace team which beat Brighton 5-0 at Selhurst Park back in 2002 and scored his 100th goal for the Eagles in their 3-2 win at Withdean '“ assuring himself pantomime villain status among the Albion faithful.

He will be hoping to get off to a winning start at the Amex but Brighton will no doubt have other ideas.

The Albion have won just three of their 14 home games this season but were superb against Ipswich Town in the Seagulls last league outing on home turf.

JoaoTeixeira was in particularly splendid form that day and he could return to the starting line- up after missing out recently with a virus while Kazenga Lua Lua is also back in contention following a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Transfer window recruits Leon Best and Beram Kayal are also pushing for a starting place although loanee Greg Halford will be missing against his parent club.

Freedman is likely to spring a few surprises in his first team selection, although Forest's attack will remain focused around Michail Antonio and Brit Assombalonga.

Antonio has nine goals and seven assists to his name so far this campaign and Assombalonga has 14 goals.

Forest also have former Albion loanee Gary Gardner in their ranks while Henri Lansbury remains a potent attacking threat.

Dale Stephens is almost certain to sit out Saturday's match for Brighton but continued his return to action this week with another run-out for the club's development squad.

Albion team news

Likely line-up: Stockdale, Bruno, Dunk, Greer, Bennett, Holla, Ince, Baldock, Teixeira, March, O'Grady.

Likely substitutes: Walton, Hughes, Calderon, Forster-Caskey, Kayal, Lua Lua, Best.