Gus Poyet believes Albion are proving they can mix it in the Championship, even with an unfinished squad.

The Uruguayan takes his League One champions to Cardiff tonight undaunted by the dangers posed by the Welshmen.

The Seagulls are still trying to thrash out a deal with Swansea for midfielder Ryan Harley.

Poyet also wants at least one other signing before the transfer window shuts in a fortnight but he is encouraged by narrow wins so far against Doncaster, Portsmouth and Gillingham in the Carling Cup.

He said: “We definitely need two at least, maybe three, but two for sure. I think every single club is looking to bring the last one or two players to finish the squad.

“Sometimes it looks as if it is going to happen and it doesn’t, so we need to wait, but we are there or thereabouts. It could happen at any time.

“Every single game has been really tight. The difference between winning and losing has been a very thin line, one decision, one mistake.

“I am still thinking there is a little bit of difference, more power and quality, but still not that gap that I keep seeing between the Championship and Premiership, so we are still there, in the mix.”

Cardiff have finished fourth, fourth and seventh in the last three years. They have also won all three matches so far under new manager Malky Mackay, who was in charge of Watford when Albion won there in the FA Cup last season.

Poyet said: “He’s ready I’m sure and I am sure that he thinks he has got a better team than he had at Watford last year as well. It’s going to be very, very difficult.

“We are going there again with only one thing in mind, to play our game, keep our identity, be ourselves, compete and win the game.We are not going to go there thinking a draw is a good result. We don’t play for draws, you know me.

“Sometimes I hear people say they want to play in the Premiership then worry about playing against John Terry or Rio Ferdinand. This is the same. We wanted Championship football and now we are playing against better players and better teams. I’ve been watching Cardiff and they look fit, organised and difficult to beat. They’ve conceded only one goal and it was late but we are not worried at all.”

The fit-again Kazenga LuaLua (hamstring) and Will Hoskins (hip) return to the squad tonight, although neither of them is likely to start.

Will Buckley’s hamstring injury is less serious than first feared and Poyet has not ruled him out of Saturday’s home game against Blackpool.

Season ticket holders have until 5pm today to book a seat for the Carling Cup tie against Sunderland at The Amex next Tuesday.