The game signals the start of the new npower Championship season and Mclean is as keen as anyone to help City get away to a good start.
“It would be nice to start the new league season with a win,” said Mclean.
“It should be a good game. Brighton move the ball well and are a good passing team. I’m sure they’ll give us a tough game but I think every team in the Championship will give us that.
“The Championship just seems to get stronger and stronger each season. There’ll be no easy games and I think Brighton will be up there come the end of it all. I don’t think you should read too much into their cup defeat in midweek – the real season starts on Saturday and they’ll be raring to go, like we are.”
Mclean, who opened his scoring account for the season in last weekend’s League Cup tie against Rotherham, is also looking forward to facing an old friend in Craig Mackail-Smith.
The pair were big friends during their time with Peterborough United and Mclean would love to have the ‘bragging rights’ after Saturday’s match.
“We’ve spoken recently but we haven’t really talked about the game,” added the striker.
“It would be good to play against him and it’s something else to look forward to.”
You can read a full interview with
Aaron Mclean in Saturday’s 84-page Matchday Programme which will be on sale around the ground priced £3.