ALBION have been warned to buck their ideas up if they want to avoid a fourth straight away defeat.

The Seagulls face a stress test of their promotion credentials at Brentford tomorrow.

Thursday’s lifeless 3-1 defeat at Huddersfield has left manager Chris Hughton demanding a much-improved performance.

Albion could be off the top of the Championship, with their automatic promotion cushion cut to two points and Huddersfield or Leeds closing the gap as well, if results elsewhere go against them by the time they kick-off in West London.

They are still in control of their own destiny but Hughton has issued a stark warning about the task confronting them.

He was at Griffin Park on transfer deadline day to watch Brentford despatch Aston Villa 3-0.

The Bees won comfortably without Scott Hogan, Albion’s two-goal wrecker at the Amex in September, who was simultaneously sold to Villa for an initial £9 million fee.

Hughton told The Argus: “It’s a tight ground. They put in a very good performance against Aston Villa. If anything they are an expansive side as well, similar to what we had at Huddersfield.

“If we afford Brentford the space we did there, then it will be an even tougher game.”

Uwe Huenemeier is in contention for his first league appearance for 14 months.

The injury-hit German and Connor Goldson are vying to deputise in the centre of defence for Lewis Dunk, serving a one-match suspension for the fifth red card of his career at Huddersfield.

Albion will lose top spot if Newcastle win or draw against seventh-placed Derby at St James’ Park today.

Reading, five points behind in third from a game more, visit toiling Ipswich, while Huddersfield host fellow challengers and neighbours Leeds at noon tomorrow.