Boss Chris Hughton admits it is tempting for Albion to pin their survival hopes on Pascal Gross.

The reigning player of the season returned from seven weeks out with hamstring trouble in Tuesday's home defeat by Cardiff.

"It's tempting, and that's part of the game," Hughton told The Argus. "When Glenn (Murray), our top scorer, comes back into the team, the expectations are higher on him.

"When someone has a record, and Pascal has been a very good player for us in terms of goals and assists, that comes with it. Hence if there's a player you want in your team, it's that type of player."

Gross lasted until early in the second half against Cardiff. Hughton said: "This is a player who's been out six or seven weeks. We didn't expect him to be spectacular on the night.

"We expect him to be efficient, do the things he does well, play a part in the game, set-play delivery. He did what we wanted him to do."

Hughton insists the final relegation place is not just between Albion and Cardiff.

He still puts Southampton in particular, currently three points better off and in much better form, in the mix.

"I don't think it's fair just to talk about Cardiff," Hughton said. "There are other teams who are still not mathematically safe at this time.

"But it's in our hands. If we can get the points we think we might need, other results won't matter."