Hughton braced for tough trip to Reading

The Seagulls have made a flying start to the season as they sit top of the Championship, unbeaten in 13 matches, while Reading are seventh but just three points behind second-placed Hull City.

Reading lost 4-2 at Fulham on Saturday, having led 2-0, but Hughton said: “It will be tough and we have to expect that. They’re a very good side, who can score goals, they’re in a really good rhythm.

“They lost at Fulham and would we have seen them losing after leading that game? Probably not, but that’s the Championship. That’s perhaps the one blip in their recent run.

“They bought very well in the summer and they have very good offensive options and look a very good side.”

Reading have kept clean sheets in four of their six home league games this season and Hughton added: “They’re a very good side and you mention the clean sheets but they can also score a goal as well.

“In Nick Blackman, they have a player that’s very much on form. Matěj Vydra was one of the league’s top goalscorers last season and, over the last few seasons, has shown what he can give to a team and the goals he can score.

“I’m expecting a very tough game.”

Brighton then travel to Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday and Hughton said: “Most teams are into a little bit of a rhythm now and I would expect both games to be very tough.

“We will have to play well, be very resilient and be very brave and we’re certainly going to have to do well to get a result in either of the games.”

Don’t miss out on all the latest breaking news where you live.

Here are four ways you can be sure you’ll be amongst the first to know what’s going on.

1 Make this website your homepage

2 Like our Facebook page at facebook.com/pages/Sport-Sussex

3 Follow us on Twitter @SportSussex

4 Register with us by clicking on ‘sign in’ (top right corner). You can then receive our daily newsletter AND add your point of view to stories that you read here.

And do share with your family and friends - so they don’t miss out!