Planet Swans takes a look at tomorrow evenings' Carling Cup first round clash at home against Brighton.

Last season the Swans reached the 4^th round of the competition after comprehensively beating Brentford 2-0 in the first round, before winning a close encounter against premiership outfit Hull City 2-1 after extra time in the second round. It would be in the third round that would provide one of the the most memorable games of last season, when arch rivals Cardiff City paid their first visit to the Liberty Stadium. Spaniard Jordi Gomez wrote himself into the Swansea history books with his 57^th minute free kick and won the club a place in the 4^th round for the first time in 32 years.

Watford awaited the high flying South Wales club in the forth round but the Swans ran out of steam and were stung by the Hornets, as Lee Williamson's 21^st minute strike was enough to see the London club face Spurs in the fifth round.

Brighton on the other hand certainly caused one of the shocks of the campaign holding premiership free spenders Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in the second round to win 5-3 on penalties.

The last time the Seagulls and the Swans met in cup competition, it was back in 2008 when a rare Darryl Duffy goal saw the South Wales club book a place in the regional final of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.

Paulo Sousa's side face a tough week of fixtures with the visit of Gareth Southgate's relegated Middlesbrough on Saturday and Reading next Tuesday evening under the Liberty floodlights. For Dutch shot-stopper Dorus De Vries the fixture against Brighton cannot come soon enough and the 28 year old is keen to set the record straight against the League one outfit, he said “We will be buzzing for that one, we are looking to put things straight. If you are winning, you are looking forward to the next game, if you lost you are looking forward to the next game because you want to win that one,"

Sousa will be without midfield quartet of Tom Butler, Darren Pratley, Ferrie Bodde and Joe Allen for the game. The former Hartlepool United man went under the knife to correct a long standing hernia injury. Whilst Darren Pratley is a few weeks away from a return to action after undergoing shoulder surgery. Dutchman Ferrie Bodde is a few weeks off a return after recovering from a cruciate knee damage. Allen is also set to miss out after sustaining a hamstring injury on Saturday .

Swansea will also be without defender Ashley Williams who is on international duty this week as Wales play Montenegro at the Gradski City Stadium in Podgorica. Shaun McDonald is also on international duties as Bryan Flynn's ever improving Wales U-21's face Hungary at Wrexham's Racecourse . Reserve team keeper David Cornell has been called up to the squad to replace the injured Rhys Taylor.

Brighton boss Russell Slade certainly did not mince his words after he saw his side lose 1-0 to Walsall in their opening game of the season. Declaring that he believes that his charges have a lot of work to do as he outlined on the clubs official site, “We need to be better and there is plenty of room for improvement. I won't pull the wool over anyone's eyes, but there is a lot of work to be done.”

Seagulls striker Liam Dickinson has predicted a tough test tomorrow after playing against the Swans whilst on loan to Blackpool last season , as he told the Argus, he said “I played Swansea last season when I was on loan to Blackpool and they are a great passing team. It is going to be a very tough game for us.”

However Brighton are facing a striker shortage with Dickinson himself being a doubt after picking up a knock on the weekend. The 23 year old will still travel with the 20 man squad and will undergo a late fitness test. Slade will also be without Striker and club stalwart Gary Hart after he was sidelined after the removal of a toe cyst. Welsh striker Craig Davies could miss the game through a knee injury, whilst fellow striker Glenn Murray could be out with a groin injury. Club captain Nicky Forster could also be ruled out with a knee problem.

Planet Swans Prediction: Swansea City 1-0 Brighton And Hove Albion

Photo: Action Images

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