Brighton v West Brom: Darren Moore changes for Baggies Cup quest

But the Baggies boss takes issue with the notion that picking a second string devalues the famous old competition.

“Whoever I select to play are professional players,” said Moore. “If they are deemed not at a level, that’s harsh on the players because all 28 of them are pros.

“Whether you’re Gareth Barry or Kyle Edwards, you’ve earned the right to play for the football club.

“I’ve got utmost respect for every single individual I select, because they matter and I care for them.

“Whatever team I select at Brighton, they’ve been through hurdles to get here.”

The pragmatist inside him also points out that using your squad makes sense.

Fringe players feel valued, and the first team rest up ahead of a gruelling period in the league of seven games in 28 days against strong opposition.

“In American Football they’ve got a squad for different tests,” said Moore. “I’ve chopped and changed in the league as well.

“I’m taking a large squad down there and we’ll pick the right squad we feel should represent the club on the day. We’ve got a huge admiration for the FA Cup.”

Anyway, that second string has arguably earned the right for another crack at the whip after easing past Wigan Athletic in the third round.

Moore is also dealing with several injury concerns.

James Morrison, Matt Phillips, and Chris Brunt are all unavailable while Ahmed Hegazi, Jay Rodriguez and Gareth Barry are doubts with knocks.

Jake Livermore serves the final match of his four-match ban.

So regardless of his intentions, Moore’s team will look different to his first choice XI anyway.

Youngsters Sam Field and Rekeem Harper, who impressed at Bolton on Monday, may be joined by peers Jonathan Leko and Kyle Edwards.

But with more than 3,000 Albion fans making the six-hour round-trip to the south coast, Moore does risk angering the fanbase if the Baggies roll over.

Another potential spanner in the works will be VAR, which will be in use tomorrow.

Moore remembers the farce at Anfield in the FA Cup last season, when Albion won 3-2 in a match punctuated by video referrals.

“It’s improved since it was launched 12 months ago,” he said. “The decision-making is a bit quicker.

“I’m all for VAR in terms of getting the huge decisions right. When it was introduced an Anfield, it was a weird one.

“At one point we thought we were 3-1 up at the time, but goals got disallowed here and there so it was a bit of a surreal experience.

“You expect similar circumstances, but they’ve tightened up on it.

“Hopefully there’s no contentious decisions and the game can be played in the right spirit.”

Lengthy delays in play wreaked havoc at Anfield, and Moore hopes Albion don’t suffer again.

“I think we had three hamstring injuries on the evening,” he added.

“Despite winning the game, we’ve suffered from it with the injuries and everything else.

“I hope on Saturday decisions are reached a lot quicker. Hopefully the game can flow in the right manner and we get a good cup match.”

Likely line-up:

Subs: Myhill, Fitzwater, Dawson, Mears, Barry, Gayle, Rodriguez.

Brighton (4-5-1): Steele, Bruno, Duffy, Balogan, Bong, Knockaert, Bissouma, Stephens, Kayal, Locadia, Andone.

The opposition: Chris Hughton honoured to be scholar of the game

Chris Hughton brought Premier League football to Brighton for the first time – and now he is to be recognised for his achievement of establishing the Seagulls as a top-flight outfit.

Ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup tie against the other Albion, Hughton will be recognised for his contribution to Brighton with an honorary degree.

The 60-year-old, who in 2017 guided Brighton to the top flight for the first time since 1983, is due to don a gown and mortarboard to receive the honour from the University of Sussex.

“It’s very humbling to myself. I think it’s a mark of the efforts of a lot of people, this club has a very good standing in the area, it’s a club that’s made great progress over the years and I have an incredibly good staff around me,” said Hughton.

“It’s a huge honour for me, particularly having been here for four years. I’ve been made to feel very welcome, not only at the club but in the area as well.

“I’ve been around it (graduation ceremonies) before with my children and family members so I know what the ceremony is.”

Hughton guided Brighton to the 40-point mark and 15th in their first Premier League campaign last year – and he appears to be going a long way to establishing them as a top-flight force.

They are currently 13th in the table with 26 points from 23 games – seven points above the bottom three.

Under Hughton, as well as progressing in the league, they have got gradually better in the FA Cup, reaching the quarter-finals before falling to a 2-0 defeat against Manchester United last season.

But squad rotation will be in order as Brighton look to progress to this season’s fifth round.

Asked how his side would approach tomorrow’s game, Hughton said: “The same way we would at any stage of the season or whatever position we are in.

“We are delighted to still be in the Cup after having such a tough draw away from home (in the last round) against a Premier League team who are doing very well.

“We want to remain in it. We will use the squad as we did away to Bournemouth.

“We are in a healthier position at the moment with regards the depth in the squad and some of the rotation we’ve had in the squad. There aren’t too many players in the squad who haven’t played games this season. We’re in a better place and better equipped for a game we want to win.”

Meanwhile, Brighton have agreed a deal to sign midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Argentinos Juniors, though he won’t face the Baggies with the 20-year-old staying with the South American club on loan until the end of the season.

“Alexis is an exciting young player that we have brought in for the future, and he has already made a big impact playing in Argentina,” Hughton said.

Pie and a pint:

There is not much near the ground, so it’s either the city centre or inside the stadium for a pre-match pint. Pies in the Amex also get a big thumbs up.

Memory lane:

Tony Ford, Don Goodman and Gary Bannister scored in the Baggies’ last win at Brighton – a 3-0 success at the Goldstone Ground in April 1990.

Danger man:

Pascal Gross

Albion know how dangerous the German playmaker is – he bagged two against them in the Premier League last season.

Though the goals and assists haven’t flowed as freely this season as last – he only has two goals and one assist to his name so far this campaign – he was on target in Brighton’s defeat to Man United.