Boss Chris Hughton says Albion’s showdown with his old club Norwich is about opening a gap on a promotion rival – not revenge.

Hughton was sacked by the Canaries two-and-a-half-years ago when they were in the Premier League.

The Seagulls are second in the Championship, a point and two places above Norwich, after winning at Wigan.

Hughton told The Argus: “Yes, it’s a big game but for me Wigan was as big. I suppose it’s bigger because we are up against a team that is very close to us.

“It puts an extra bit on the game. For me personally it doesn’t make any difference, it’s the team and trying to get a win that will keep us right there.

“They are big games, there is no taking away from it. It’s not about me and Norwich. They are right up there with us and if we are able to get the win it’s three points they don’t get.”

Norwich’s Graham Dorrans and Alex Tettey are walking disciplinary tightropes in the last 16 of the League Cup at Leeds tonight.

Both are bookings away from bans which would rule them out of the game at the Amex.

The Argus: Boss Alex Neil’s scope to rest players at Elland Road for the clash against Albion has been restricted by injury problems, including a Beram Kayal-type midfield blow. Jonny Howson, pictured above, is out for two months after ankle surgery, joining Matt Jarvis (knee) and Youssouf Mulumbu (foot) on the long-term list. Ivo Pinto (groin) and Steven Whittaker (hernia) are other casualties.

Kayal has been sidelined until December for Albion, also by ankle surgery.