Albion boss Chris Hughton believes Huddersfield and Fulham have demonstrated how difficult it is to stay in the Premier League.

Huddersfield, who came up with the Seagulls two seasons ago, and promoted Fulham have been relegated with a combined total of 31 points - two less than Albion's current tally.

Hughton told The Argus: "When you look at the teams down - Fulham having spent the money they have, Huddersfield who did brilliantly towards the end of last season and probably similar to us as regards budget going into the division - there are bigger clubs than ours that have gone out of the league and at this moment are not favourites to come straight back up again.

"So yes I think it makes it harder and harder. That's why you have to be able to develop the right way and make sure that you go through a season giving yourself every chance to stay up.

"That's why still at this moment it would be about making sure we are in the division next season as opposed to looking at the sort of dizzy heights of mid-table and beyond."

Albion head into Bournemouth's visit today with a cushion of five points over Tuesday's visitors Cardiff, a game in hand of the Welshmen and a better goal difference.

Hughton said: "It's in our hands and that's always the best way. We will always look at other results and hope they go our way.

"There are, as we have found, weekends where things haven't gone well for us or elsewhere either.

"We have four home games and three away games. We know in particular some of them how tough they are but we also have games against teams around us.

"At the start of the season you knew on the law of averages the type of games you've got more chance of winning and the best chances to pick up points. Nothing's changed, it's in our hands."

The Argus: Albion were 13th, nine points clear of relegation, when they lost 2-0 at Bournemouth in December, harmed by a controversial red card from Mike Dean for Lewis Dunk for two bookable offences (above).

The run to the Wembley semi-finals of the FA Cup against Manchester City was launched by a 3-1 win at Bournemouth in January in the third round.

Mali midfielder Yves Bissouma, who should have received one of the yellow cards for Dunk in the league meeting, scored his only goal in the FA Cup clash.

Bissouma has yet to hit the target in 23 Premier League appearances. Fellow midfielders Davy Propper and Dale Stephens have scored one in 62 and one in 60 respectively.

Hughton said: "Yes we need goals from elsewhere. It's not just a midfield three, it's wide players as well.

"We need a contribution from Solly March, Anthony, Alireza. As we know, Jose has been very much in and out. We need a contribution from a lot of players."

Albion bought midfield prospect Alexis Mac Allister in January and loaned him straight back to Argentinos Juniors (below).

The Argus: They also signed South African star Percy Tau last summer and loaned him to Union Saint-Gilloise, the Belgian club owned by chairman Tony Bloom.

Hughton said: "As regards MacAllister at this moment we don't know (first team prospects).

"He's our player, he's having a good season. We haven't seen him here or training here. The decisions will be made as regards next season in this build-up towards the end of the season, the summer, what's going to be best for him, best for us. He is still a very young player."

As for Tau, Hughton said: "The same would apply to him. I think with both of these players the issue is work permit. They are things that come into the equation as well.

"They are our players and they are no different to (Jayson) Molumby or Viktor (Gyokeres). We will make decisions as regards where we see them as well."