Joe Bennett has backed Albion to be a force in the Championship again next season as he prepares for the play-off final with Sheffield Wednesday.

The former Albion left-back, on-loan to the Owls from Aston Villa, is poised to miss out on a place in the squad for the lucrative promotion decider against Hull at Wembley today (5pm) after only just recovering from medial knee ligament damage.

Bennett, who spent the 2014-15 season with the Seagulls, was a spectator as Sheffield knocked Albion out 3-1 on aggregate to set up today's showdown against Hull for a place in the Premier League.

He said: "I went to the first leg at Hillsborough. That was a nightmare for Brighton with all the injuries.

"I watched the second leg on TV. Brighton were really good. It was just the first leg that killed them. They had a little bit too much to do.

"I was hoping Brighton would go up. It's a massive club with great facilities. I know everyone from last season, apart from the new players.

"I'm gutted for them. I spoke to Beram (Kayal) after the play-offs. He was devastated but I told him they've got another chance next season. I think they will be strong again.

"Sheffield Wednesday have had an unbelievable season. We are underdogs but we've been playing well, so there is no reason why we cannot beat Hull."

Bennett cut his teeth at Middlesbrough, who pipped Albion to automatic promotion on the final day of the season after Dale Stephens was controversially sent-off for a challenge on Gaston Ramirez in the 1-1 draw.

"It's been strange," Bennett said. "I was at Boro from the age of nine. It's where I was brought up. I made my debut at West Ham in the Premier League when they got relegated.

"It has been a long time coming and I expected them to go up with the signings they made, like Stewart Downing and Jordan Rhodes.

"I caught bits of the Brighton-Boro game. They (Albion) were unfortunate and they did well with ten men after Dale was sent-off.

"At the time I thought it was just a 50-50 challenge. I don't think there was any malice in it."

Bennett's future next season is up in the air. Borrowed by Bournemouth earlier in the campaign, he has been on loan to Sheffield since January from relegated Villa, where he has seen little action but still has a year left on his contract.

"I'm just going to see what happens in the summer," he said. "Hopefully I can get something tied down.

"You just have to do your best and give 100 per cent for what ever club you play for. I have been on loan three times in the last two seasons, so I'm used to it now."