Leon Knight can turn himself into a local hero again by keeping Albion up, whether or not he stays.

That is the message from manager Mark McGhee today with the Seagulls fighting to stay in the Championship.

Knight's late penalty in the play-off final against Bristol City, his 27th goal of the season, earned Albion promotion 11 months ago.

The former Chelsea striker, back from a ban for today's crucial home game against West Ham, has only scored four goals in the Championship.

His contract runs out at the end of the season and he has still not signed a new deal as Albion's battle for survival reaches a nerve-jangling crescendo.

They travel to relegated Rotherham next Saturday, then finish at home to promotion-chasing Ipswich eight days later.

McGhee said: "By his standards he's has had a little bit of a disappointing season but there are games left in which Leon can stamp his name on this division by keeping us in it and producing performances which win us games.

"We are pushing his agent at the moment. We are saying to him we have got an offer on the table and we want to know.

"If he wants a contract better than the one we are offering him then he has got these games to make us think we cannot afford to let him go.

"If he is not going to stay with us he's got these games to convince other people that he is worthy of a contract better than the one we are offering."

Meanwhile, Paul Watson's Albion future is in the balance because of a succession of injuries, the latest a strained knee medial ligament sustained in training.

The long-serving utility player, out of contract in the summer, has made only one start and three substitute appearances this season.

McGhee said: "At the end of the day I am going to have to make a decision based on that. It's been unfortunate for him.

"It may be that he will be fit for the last game against Ipswich, but by then if people have done the business they are going to deserve the show day and he's not going to get a game there.

"If they've not done the business I will be looking at a team that can get points against Ipswich."

Alan Pardew, manager of today's opponents West Ham, is backing Albion's bid for a new stadium.

"I come from Wimbledon, where the lack of support from the local council eventually destroyed the club," said Pardew.

"I really hope that doesn't happen to Brighton, because they're a good club and I hope they can get the stadium they deserve."