ALBION boss Chris Hughton is rooting for Newcastle to slip up and gift his team the title.

He does not mind how or where the Seagulls win the Championship.

Albion, seven points clear at the top, will go up as champions if they beat Bristol City in their final home fixture of the season at the Amex on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez’s Newcastle play twice before then and need to take four points to keep the title race alive. Hughton’s old club will clinch promotion if they beat Preston in their game in hand at St James’ Park tonight.

The North-East giants then go to Cardiff on Friday evening. Albion visit Aston Villa on the last day of the season on May 7, while Newcastle host Barnsley.

The Seagulls could have made sure of first place on Friday at Norwich but lost 2-0.

Hughton told The Argus: “If you said to me we would win the title I’d take it in any way.

“It’s all about the first opportunities. The first opportunity was us at Norwich. The next opportunity is Newcastle playing on Monday, then Newcastle on Friday, us on Saturday.

“You generally want things in your hands. But we relied on a Derby result for us to clinch promotion.

“Of course, you want to do it by yourselves but it’s how it is and we’d take it.”

Derby’s late equaliser against Huddersfield on Easter Monday ensured Albion will be in the Premier League next season after they beat Wigan 2-1 at the Amex.