Andrew Crofts has backed Albion to stay the course and win promotion to the Championship.

The Seagulls’ ex-skipper insists he is not surprised by the progress they have made without him him since his summer move to Norwich.

Crofts joined the Canaries in May for a fee which could rise to £300,000 after they romped to the League One title.

Albion boss Gus Poyet made the 26-year-old Welsh international midfielder his captain and he became a key figure in the climb to safety last season, with seven goals in 50 games.

Poyet's re-shaped side have overcome the blow of losing him. They head for Peterborough, another of Crofts’ former clubs, on Saturday six points clear at the top.

Crofts told The Argus: “I am buzzing for everyone involved in Brighton at the moment. It’s a great time for them, they are flying.

“I watched the game on Sky (against Bournemouth) and they were desperately unlucky not to win. They looked a good team.

“Everyone is saying what good football Brighton are playing. The way they pass the ball is the way Gus likes to play the game.

“That’s the way he was as a player and you could tell straight away that’s what he wanted us to do.

“I’m not really surprised. I think they have got a great chance of being promoted with Gus and Tanno and Charlie and the ambition of the chairman. They are going to be a force to be reckoned with.”

Matt Sparrow, signed as Crofts’ replacement has, emulated his three-goal haul for Norwich and Albion have also coped with the absence of knee injury victim Alan Navarro since the start of the season.

“I gave Navs a call when he did it,” Crofts said`. “I was gutted for him but he is a strong character. I don’t know much about Matt but I have played against him a few times in the past and always thought he was a good player.

“I still speak to a few of the boys and they say he has settled in well and is doing well, which is good to hear.”

Crofts has no regrets about his switch to a Norwich side also flying high towards the top of the Championship table.

“It’s a great league to be involved in and things have started really well for me,” he said. “We’ve got a big game on Saturday against Cardiff - every game in this league is massive.

“I’ve been playing in a slightly different role as a holding midfielder, both for Norwich and Wales against Switzerland the other day. It’s good experience for me, I’m loving it.

“Carrow Road is great stadium and we get great support. That is the same almost everywhere we go.

“If Brighton get promoted they will be a great Championship club. I know they will get the support.

“The fans were great when I was there and I am sure they will fill Falmer every week, because of the big clubs that will be coming.

“Hopefully they will do it this season. I’d love to see both teams promoted but there is obviously still a long way to go.”