Albion boss Chris Hughton has been "hugely impressed" by rival Jaap Stam in the Dutchman's first season in charge of tomorrow night's Amex visitors Reading.

The Royals were tenth when they lost at home to Aston Villa in October.

They are now fourth, eight points adrift of the Seagulls but eight points clear themselves of the pack pursuing a play-off spot under Stam's passing style.

Hughton said: "I have been hugely impressed by the manager and what he has done this season. They play a style of football that is very expansive.

"From the start of the season, where perhaps there were some frustrations with that, he's built a philosophy that's got stronger and stronger, so absolute credit to the manager.

 

"But they've got very good players and sometimes when you are embarking on a new system, particularly an expansive system, you have got to have good players to be able to get the results that you want. They absolutely deserve to be where they are."