Albion are backing play-off proposals by arch rivals Crystal Palace which mean they could finish as low as eighth in the Second Division next season and still win promotion.

Chairman Dick Knight will vote in favour of expanding the current play-off system via the inclusion of two extra clubs at the Football League AGM at Gillingham's Priestfield Stadium today.

The change is the brainchild of Palace's chief executive Phil Alexander and has already been backed in principle by clubs at a meeting at Leicester in April.

Under the new system match A will feature the team finishing fifth at home to eighth and match B sixth hosting seventh.

The semi-finals will also be one-offs, with the side finishing fourth at home to the winners of match A and third at home to the winners of match B.

Alexander believes his system is fairer as it rewards teams finishing higher up the table with home advantage, rather than the present format of two-legged ties involving third versus sixth and fourth v fifth.

Martin Perry, Albion's chief executive, said: "We think it's a good idea.

"The whole concept of the play-offs extends the end of the season, which is great for the fans. It's a tremendous spectacle."

Knight will also support a new insolvency policy aimed at clubs in administration.

Members are voting today on a "sporting sanction" against such clubs, which could be a points deduction, denial of promotion or even automatic relegation.

A number of clubs went into administration last season including Leicester, who were promoted to the Premiership under former Albion manager Micky Adams.

Perry said: "We don't believe what happened last season was fair on everyone else.

"Administration should not be used as a lever to get a club out of debt and keep the playing staff on."

The two other major items put to the vote today are parachute payments for clubs, like Albion, relegated from Division One to Two and from Division Two to Three, plus a reduction in ground criteria for clubs promoted from the Nationwide Conference.

If the proposal is passed clubs would be allowed entry to The Football League with a ground capacity of 4,000, which must rise to 5,000 within 12 months or they will face automatic relegation.