Boss Chris Hughton says taking Albion up would top winning the title with Newcastle.

Hughton has Albion well-placed to reach the Premier League for the first time in the club’s history going into tonight’s first versus second showdown at the Amex.

They lead the way by a point in the Championship from the North-East giants, who were steered to the summit by Hughton in 2009-10, the pinnacle of his managerial career so far.

He told The Argus: “Certainly the highlight, yes, because as a manager you want to be able to be part of winnings teams, whether that is league, promotion or winning cups.

“So that would have to be. I think the achievement here would be greater, just for where we are as a club.

“Newcastle are an established Premier League club with massive support.

“This is, of course, a club that has never been in the Premier League, so as an achievement I think it would be great.”

Hughton is surprised Albion currently hold the upper hand over his old club, red-hot favourites under Rafa Benitez at the start of the season, but believes his players deserve to be where they are.

“They (Newcastle) are a very strong unit and recruited incredibly well in the summer,” Hughton said.

“What I don’t want to do is take anything away from the performances of our players and their aims and apirations.

“Probably yes I am surprised, but we have got a team that have worked hard enough this season to have deserved it.”