Albion captain Charlie Oatway has hit back at former team-mate Leon Knight for revelling in the Seagulls' relegation from the Championship.

Oatway is saddened but not surprised that Knight is "absolutely delighted" Albion failed to beat the drop.

Knight left for Swansea for £125,000 in January after falling out with manager Mark McGhee.

The goal-laden penalty hero of Albion's promotion via the play-offs two seasons ago gloated over the Seagulls' demise in an interview with a South Wales newspaper.

"It was terrific to see Brighton go down," Knight said. "I've still got a few mates in the dressing room and I've been hearing a few things but they can't really say anything now they are in the same league that I'm in.

"I was absolutely delighted that they got relegated. You cannot understand how happy I was."

Knight's remarks have not gone down well in the Albion dressing room.

Oatway said: It's a shame really, because I'd have liked to have classed Leon as a friend and I am sure one or two of the other boys would have done as well.

"It shows how much respect he had for me and my family, let alone as a team. It's my job, my livelihood at risk. It just shows the mentality of some people.

"I'm not surprised. I spoke to my missus about a week ago about a few different people and I said they would be glad we've gone down.

"She said no but I told her I know these people and when this came out she said 'You were right'.

"I don't know a lot in life but I do know football and football people, so nothing surprises me and no-one kids me.

"I just can't see where some people are coming from. Maybe he feels I haven't got to hold it in, I can say how I feel' and that's what he preached when he was here. If that's how he feels then it's sad."

Albion fans are in uproar over Knight's outburst and Oatway is predicting a "hostile" reception for the ex-Chelsea striker if Swansea miss out on promotion via the play-offs and play the Seagulls in League One next season.

"That's nothing to do with Brighton fans in particular but fans in general," Oatway said. "No-one has that said about their club. They take it personally.

"It had nothing to do with the fans, it was a manager-player situation, but I would imagine it will be quite hostile for him.

"On the other side of the coin, people have got to remember what he did for us. He was the best thing since sliced bread when he tucked in the penalty at the Millennium."