Kazenga LuaLua is still trying to shake off his reputation as an impact sub, rather than a regular starter, as he returns to Newcastle with Albion tomorrow.

The winger is likely to find himself back on the bench five years after leaving St James' Park and four days after a pivotal goal helped the Seagulls progress in the League Cup.

LuaLua spent his teens with the Toon without making a league start, 12 of his 15 appearances coming from the bench.

The ratio has improved appreciably with Albion but he has still had more substitute outings than starts (102 to 80).

The pattern is partly explained by LuaLua's wretched misfortune with injuries.

This was cruelly highlighted at the start of last season, when he was in prime form until a groin problem ruled him out until the New Year.

Anthony Knockaert and Jiri Skalak have been bought since then and the battle for wide places is about to get even more crowded with the return of Solly March from serious knee damage.

LuaLua and Jamie Murphy, at the moment, are the back-up options, striving to impress manager Chris Hughton in Albion's League Cup run.

LuaLua set up Sam Baldock's breakthrough and the first of Murphy's two goals in the 4-0 win over Colchester in the first round at the Amex.

He missed a great early chance to double the instant lead provided by Sam Adekugbe at Oxford but made amends in trademark style deep into the second half.

A powerful right-foot drive from outside the area restored Albion's lead when the tie was in the balance at 1-1 and they went on to win 4-2.

Hughton told The Argus: "That's Kazenga. When you see that type of performance, sometimes you want more from him, because he's such a good player.

"He gets into such good positions but he kept going. The type of goal he scored is the type you want him to get more often. He's a threat, with power and pace."

LuaLua's unpredictability is hazardous for opponents. He was relatively quiet against Oxford in-between the chance he missed and the goal he scored.

"It can be a plus," Hughton said. "Our aim always with Kaz is to get him into that consistency of 90 minutes, which we were able to do before the injury.

"But you can also see with Kaz at times why he has been used as an explosive, impact option, because he is that type of player.

"The thing is always to try to get him to be a 90-minute player. I'm pleased he's had two really good opportunities in the Cup games."

Championship game time for LuaLua has, by contrast, been limited so far to late run-outs against Derby and Rotherham.

The situation has reversed for Steve Sidwell. Dale Stephens and Beram Kayal dominated the central midfield berths when he rejoined the club on loan from Stoke last season.

Now Sidwell, re-signed permanently, is partnering Kayal while Stephens plays catch-up with his fitness after injuries and suspension.

Hughton has plumped for the pair in the opening two away league draws at Derby and Reading. He is likely to maintain the status quo in the North-East.

The clash against Newcastle, in front of over 50,000 fans, will be a new experience for some of the Albion players but not the vastly experienced Sidwell (below).

The Argus: He said: "I've been fortunate enough to play up at Newcastle in the Premier League many times.

"It's a fantastic stadium, probably one of the best around. When St James Park is rocking it's a great place to go and play football.

"It's one a lot of the players here have looked out for, because a lot of them wouldn't have played there before.

"It's going to be a big test for but we have performed well so far this season.

"We are in good spirits. The performance at Reading was a bit of a blip but we've put a line under it."