Brighton and Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton believes his side have shown in the past they are capable of playing without their skipper Dale Stephens.

The midfielder will be missing for the upcoming game against Huddersfield, the fourth game in a row he's missed with injury.

But Hughton believes the club's recent performances show they can handle a big player's absence, even if it is the captain.

Hughton said the following to The Argus: "We'll give him every opportunity. We're getting very close now but at this moment he's still a doubt.

"The last two have been good enough performances but that's the margins. The margins are scoring a goal to win you games and that's what we haven't been able to do but the performances have been fine."