Albion face a fight to stay within Financial Fair Play rules if they miss out again on promotion to the Premier League.

Inside today’s Argus we reveal the massive cash disadvantages for the Seagulls compared to clubs in the top flight and the danger of them falling foul of new ‘Profitability and Sustainability’ regulations.

Clubs in the Championship are allowed total losses of £39 million over the course of 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The equivalent figure in the Premier League is £105 million. Clubs alternating between the two divisons are assessed on a pro-rata basis, £13 million a season per season in the Championship, £35 million per season in the Premier League.

Albion last week announced a £25.9 million loss for the 2015-16 season.

Sanctions for breaking FFP rules include a transfer embargo and fines.

Seagulls supporter Keiran Maguire, a specialist in football finances at Liverpool University, said: “In my opinion these losses will be exceeded this season.

“We’ve given Chris Hughton a new contract, Lewis Dunk another new contract. We’ve now got a full year’s wages coming in for Knockaert and Skalak, who we signed in the January window.

“Solly March has signed a new contract, Connor Goldson has signed a new contract.

“I think there will be big challenges for the club in 2017-18 and 2018-19 to be within the FFP limits. In Paul Barber (chief executive) and David Jones (finance director) we’ve got two guys who I would confidently state will manage it, because they are 24/7 about keeping within the limits.”

Hughton’s side head to struggling Blackburn Rovers tomorrow night a point behind leaders Newcastle and five points clear of third-placed Reading following Friday’s 2-0 win against Leeds at the Amex.