Stephen Ward has urged Albion to take their challenge for promotion to the wire.

The Seagulls head into tonight’s visit to Sheffield Wednesday three points and two places outside the play-offs.

They have only been in the top six for a week all season, in January, but have been hovering on the fringes since the end of November.

Left-back Ward said: “It might take one result, one goal. The most important thing is to make sure you are only one result away from being in the play-offs because it can all change, even on the last day.

“You can be outside the play-offs and jump in, you can be inside the play-offs and be leapfrogged.

“The important thing is not to get too far outside it. Being one result outside is what you have really got to aim to do if you are not inside that top six.

“We have seemed to do that all season. Unfortunately we have not got into the top six that much but there is a long way to go yet. You want to give yourselves a chance going into that last day.”

David Lopez is back in midfield contention, with Dale Stephens ruled out by illness, as Albion aim for their first victory at Hillsborough in 101 years of trying.

Their final day hosts, fellow challengers Nottingham Forest, sacked Billy Davies yesterday after a winless eight-match run.