GUS Poyet has challenged his in-form Albion side to consolidate a Championship play-off spot now that they are back in the top six for the first time since early October.

A 1-0 win against Burnley at The Amex, combined with Middlesbrough’s subsequent 2-1 home defeat by Millwall, restored the Seagulls to the play-off zone.

Poyet said: "That is where we want to be. It’s very nice when you are close but you need to get there. The idea is let’s go to Middlesbrough in a few weeks time (April 13) with the option to really get ahead of them, then it will be in your hands.

“They are nice games to play. Sometimes you get to this point and you have got nothing to play for. We are in a great situation.”

Poyet was pleased to see Albion come through a scrap for the points after Burnley nullified their customary fluency at home.

He said: “I like what I am seeing because there is a different character in this squad and I’ve got different options. “We were missing a key player like Liam Bridcutt (suspended) and the team still won and we kept a clean sheet. It’s a good sign.

"We didn’t play great but you cannot be at your best for 46 games, so we’ll take it."

Winger Will Buckley also missed out with the same virus which struck Poyet last week. Bridcutt completes his two-match ban with Saturday’s visit by struggling Huddersfield.