Albion could get unexpected help in the Championship promotion race – from Jermaine McGillvary and his giant team-mates.

Heavyweight wing star McGillvary and his Rugby Super League colleagues at Huddersfield Giants give the pitch a pounding at the John Smith’s Stadium, which is shared by the Seagulls’ rivals Huddersfield Town.

Sky Sports tactics analyst Danny Higginbotham believes it could have an adverse effect on Town’s home form during the run-in.

Five of Huddersfield’s remaining matches are at home. The Giants have a Super League fixture against Catalans Dragons 48 hours before they entertain Preston on Good Friday.

The Giants also tackle Castleford Tigers three days before the final game of the season for Dave Wagner’s Terriers against Cardiff.

Ex-Premier League and Championship defender Higginbotham told The Argus: “What will be interesting in these coming weeks will be their home form. It has been absolutely brilliant, magnificent, but rugby league has just started there again.

“Huddersfield are a team that like to pass the ball quickly, get up and down the pitch quickly.

“If you are a passing team and have to now play on a pitch that will cut up more, you can’t play as quickly as you want to because you’ve got to follow the ball all the way onto your foot.

“It might only be a split second difference, but that can be the difference between getting that pass and not getting that pass.”

Higginbotham believes Huddersfield are still equipped to push Albion and Newcastle hard in the three-way fight for the top two places.

They are six points adrift of the second-placed Seagulls with a game in hand, which is not until April 25 away to Wolves.

Higginbotham said: “I believe Huddersfield will run them all the way.”