Albion could face Monday's visitors Derby County in the play-offs again if they miss out on automatic promotion.

Sheffield Wednesday guaranteed themselves a top six finish today with a 3-0 win at Hillsborough against Cardiff, the only team capable of catching them.

The Owls remain the Seagulls' likeliest opponents in the end-of-season shoot-outs if a top two spot eludes them.

But the Yorkshiremen can finish level on points with Derby if they win their final fixture at Wolves next Saturday and County lose at the Amex and at home to Ipswich.

Wednesday would then creep above Derby into fifth on goal difference.

Albion lost 6-2 on aggregate to Derby in the play-offs two seasons ago.

Gary Hooper, signed by Albion boss Chris Hughton when he was at Norwich, scored twice for Sheffield as Cardiff's challenge ended tamely.

The Welshmen, managed by former Albion chief Russell Slade, needed to win to keep their hopes alive.