SAM BALDOCK insists Albion will not think about their showdown with Newcastle until Saturday night.

The Toon come to town next Tuesday for the clash between the teams dominating the top two places in the Championship for months.

Baldock, who bagged both goals in the win at Barnsley at the weekend, says the Seagulls are focused only on fourth-placed Reading’s visit to the Amex on Saturday (5.30).

He told The Argus: “We won’t think about Newcastle until about half-seven on Saturday night. Our attention is strictly on Reading until then.

“They are a good team. It will be a very different game (to Barnsley), but we are at home, we enjoy playing at home, and we are hoping we can stamp our style on the game.

“We want to win the game. We’re not going to try to take points off other teams by spoiling for a draw. We feel we are one of the best teams in the league – if not the best.”

Baldock will become the fourth player to reach double figures in the Championship for Albion if he strikes once more against Reading.

Ex-Reading target man Glenn Murray, Tomer Hemed and winger Anthony Knockaert have all contributed ten or more goals.

The Seagulls increased their firepower last month by borrowing Chuba Akpom from Arsenal.

Baldock said: “It shares the role, the pressures, and we are a forward unit. There are four of us going for two positions up front.

“We work together day in, day out, trying to improve each other and we are pleased for each other when they score and get their assists.”

Newcastle went back to the top of the table last night with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

Reading will arrive at the Amex eight, seven or five points behind Albion from a game more, depending on the outcome of their trip to third-placed Huddersfield tonight.