Boss Chris Hughton could be surprised by some of his Albion players as they step up to the Premier League.

That is the verdict of former Arsenal striker Alan Smith as Hughton weighs up his options for next season following promotion.

Smith said; "With Championship teams promoted, there's one half of you as a manager wants to give those players a chance to prove themselves.

"You'll look at that squad and if you are Chris Hughton you'll think: 'He's not going to cut it, maybe he's not good enough'. But sometimes players surprise you and they get into that higher level and they raise their own game.

"That's something he'll maybe have to see as he goes along. Players like Knockaert you think are going to be good enough but Chris Hughton has obviously been there before."

Smith (below left) is hoping Albion will not be one-season wonders under Hughton.

The Argus: The two-time title winner with Arsenal told Sky Sports: He's got that experience, which will help him, help Brighton, and you hope they can stay up because it's something fresh, a lovely new stadium down there on the south coast.

"I think we all want Chris Hughton to do well. Hopefully he'll have the funds as well to take it on."