Albion boss Chris Hughton is impressed by the quality of refereeing in the Championship and has played down scrutiny over Rob Madley's appointment for tomorrow night's table-topping showdown with Newcastle.

The Argus revealed last week that Madley has been parachuted in from the Premier League to take charge of the first v second clash.

That could have some supporters on edge after the appointment of Mike Dean in similar circumstances for last season's promotion decider at Middlesbrough, when he controversially red carded Dale Stephens.

Newcastle fans are up in arms, since Yorkshireman Madley is reportedly a supporter of promotion rivals Huddersfield.

 

Hughton has no such worries, but has praised the refs on the new select group for the Championship this season.

He told The Argus: "It doesn't concern me one little bit.

"On most occasions when I go into a game I don't pay too much attention to who the referee is, because I think once you start singling out referees and deciding these ones are not good and that ones good, I think it makes it very difficult for yourselves.

"The only thing I would say is I've been very happy with the level of refereeing in the Championship. I think personally it's a good level.

"So, if anything, they need some recognition of that, but as regards a referee of any game, that's not something I concern myself with too much.

"Ultimately, a referee can have a good game or a bad game at any level."