Stephen Ward believes Albion are equipped to be strong contenders in the play-offs if they squeeze into the top six.

The Seagulls, Reading or Blackburn - with a slim mathematical chance - will join Derby, QPR and Wigan to fight it out for promotion to the Premier League.

On-loan defender Ward said: "We've got a great chance. You've seen over the season we've been as good as any team on our day. We've probably surprisingly had our best results against teams at the top. It's been unfortunate in other games when we have dropped points.

"The squad here is a good mix. It reminds me a bit of the squad I got promoted with at Wolves. It's got a good mix of youth - lads coming through with no fear - and a bit of experience that can guide them in the right direction.

"So we are well equipped to go into these play-offs and if we do make it in there we'll have as a good a chance as anyone."

Albion, preparing for their final game at Nottingham Forest, need to better Reading's result at home to Burnley to finish sixth and set up a clash with Derby in the play-offs.

Ward said: "We need to hold our side of the bargain and wait and see what happens elsewhere. We need to win our game, that's the most important thing.

"That's going to give us the best chance of getting into the play-offs and if we do that we've done everything we can, then it's in the lap of the Gods."