Albion boss Chris Hughton has saluted the form of veteran Steve Sidwell in the midfield battleground.

The 34-year-old makes the 350th league start of his career tonight against Newcastle, a club he has been used to facing in the Premier League after spells with Chelsea, Aston Villa, Fulham, Stoke and Reading.

Sidwell, who has partnered Dale Stephens in the last five games, will be up against a key figure for the Toon in Jonjo Shelvey.

 

Hughton told The Argus: "He's been very good for us. Probably what is more comforting is the competition we've got in there.

"At the moment he's been playing ahead of (Beram) Kayal and (Oliver) Norwood, both very good players.

"It's good to have that level of competition, but Steve has been very good and probably hasn't given us anything more than we know he can.

"He's a very tough individual, not fazed by anything, and has got huge experience.

"I've got in all four - five if I include Richie Towell, who continues to train well and is unfortunate not to have been involved more - good competition and different types of players in there."