Painter: Race is still on (From The Argus)

Painter: Race is still on

9:00am Saturday 14th April 2012 in Sport By Andy Naylor

Marcos Painter has backed Albion to stay in the play-off hunt right to the end of the season.

The Seagulls’ challenge suffered a blow with Tuesday’s 1-0 home defeat by Reading but they will return to the top six today if they win at West Ham and Cardiff lose at Barnsley.

Left-back Painter, back in contention after hamstring trouble, told The Argus: “You always hear a few voices saying ‘That’s our play-off dream over’ but you look at the table and we’re two points outside the play-offs with four games to go.

“You’ve seen it so many times in the past that so many things can happen, on the last day yet alone with four games to go.

“As long as we are still within reach of that play-off spot and don’t drift too far away then we’ve still got a chance.”

Albion’s run-in includes a visit from fourth-placed Birmingham, Painter’s first club, in their last Amex outing of the regular season next Saturday.

The 25-year-old Brummie said: “That’s one I’d obviously love to play in. I’ve got a lot of family from Birmingham. I’ve had to get about ten tickets already.

“It would be nice to play against them. They are in good form, along with the other teams we have got to play, so there will be no easy game between now and the end of the season that’s for sure.”