For many Norwich City fans, Chris Hughton is largely responsible for their team playing in the Championship this season – but now the former Canaries boss has a chance of redemption.

Hughton returned to management with Brighton midway through this season, the team who can now play a major part in helping City to salvage their automatic promotion hopes.

If the Seagulls win both their final two matches of the season and Alex Neil guides the Canaries to victories in their last two fixtures, automatic promotion would be a very real possibility for City.

That is because Brighton host leaders Watford on Saturday, followed by a trip to third-placed Middlesbrough.

Watford would then need to win at home against Sheffield Wednesday on the final day of the season to finish level on points with City – bringing goal-difference into the promotion equation.

In an ironic twist, the manager many hold responsible for City's relegation from the Premier League could be about to play a key role in helping them return to the top flight.

And in return, City beating Rotherham on Saturday would also be a big help in ensuring Brighton are not relegated.

All of which ensures Hughton will have his team well up for the fight.

'The fact we didn't get a result heaps pressure on us. That we have to accept and acknowledge and go into the next game knowing we have got to fare better,' the former Canaries manager told the Brighton Argus, following his side's damaging 2-1 loss at relegation rivals Wigan on Saturday.

'The next game's going to be very, very tough. What I didn't want to be doing is desperately hoping the results go in our favour because we haven't been able to alleviate that pressure ourselves.

'The two games don't come much harder than Watford and Middlesbrough but that's what it is and that's the challenge.'