TOMER HEMED has backed boss Chris Hughton’s decision to axe him before firing Albion into an automatic promotion spot again.

Hemed was relegated to the bench for last week’s home win against Reading and stayed there to start with at MK Dons.

The top scorer responded to his omission from back-to-back league games for the first time with both goals within ten minutes of coming on in the 2-1 win which lifted the Seagulls back above Middlesbrough into second.

Hemed said: “I had a very good month last month. The gaffer talked with me and said he wanted to make a change (against Reading), give me a rest.

“I understood that. Then we won against Reading so it was normal that he wanted to keep the same strikers.

“I always want to play but I respect the decision. I knew I would help the team, even if it was for 30 minutes.”

Hemed calmly broke the deadlock from the spot in the second half after he was tripped by Darren Potter.

“It was a penalty for sure and I had a good feeling I would score,” he said.

“I’m happy that I did, because the first goal is always important to open up the game. After that we were better.”

Hemed added a header from Jiri Skalak’s cross to raise his tally for the season to 13 before Dons pulled a goal back and their ex-Crawley defender Kyle McFadzean saw red for clattering him in an aerial clash.

The Israeli target man is among nine players in Chris Hughton’s squad on international duty ahead of the table-topping showdown with Burnley, who are four points clear, at the Amex on April 2 (12.30).

Andrew Crofts, recalled to the Wales squad, is unlikely to play any part in the rest of Albion’s promotion push after rejoining Gillingham on loan until the end of the season.