Match preview: Brighton vs Bristol City

Marcos Painter will once again deputise for Wayne Bridge with Gus Poyet not prepared to risk his star left back ahead of the Seagulls’ derby date with Crystal Palace.

Painter has performed well in the last two outings and will keep his place – although Ashley Barnes is under pressure ahead of him on the left side of Albion’s attack.

The striker, who is a favourite of Poyet, had his worst game of the season in the 1v1 draw with Bolton and could drop to the bench in place of Will Hoskins or Stephen Dobbie with the Brighton boss likely to push for a win against lowly Bristol. Another option would be to recall Andrew Crofts to the starting line-up and move Andrea Orlandi onto the left hand side.

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Defensive lynchpin Adam El-Abd will be in the squad but Poyet could keep faith with Gordon Greer and Lewis Dunk and save all-action El-Abd for the trip to Selhurst Park at the weekend.

Bristol City, fresh from an impressive away win at Middlesbrough, will make a late decision on defender Matthew Bates while Liverpool loanee Danny Wilson could make his first start for the Robins.

Jon Stead, Stephen McManus, Cole Skuse, Jody Morris, Lewin Nyatanga and Greg Cunningham are all unavailable.