STEVE SIDWELL has warned Newcastle they will have to dig deep to justify their hot favourites label in the Championship.

The Albion midfielder has vast experience of the division and of playing in the Premier League.

He says the North-East giants will have to adjust after relegation last season.

Sidwell told The Argus: “People were saying before a ball was kicked who ever finishes above Newcastle is going to be promoted.

“You have probably got to agree with that, just by their recruitment and the way they have spent. But it’s a long season. They have bought well but the Championship is a different mentality.

“When you are coming from the Premier League to the Championship there are games where it’s lovely football but games where you have got to dig deep.

“You might have to grind it out for 90 minutes and one chance pops up at the end which someone takes and it wins you the game.

“If you are not prepared to do the hard yards first then you will get found out in this league.

“If you ask any team that has been promoted over the last few years, none of them have had an easy ride. They’ve done it the hard way by earning victories.”

Newcastle will edge above Albion if they inflict a first defeat on the Seagulls at St James’ Park this evening, which would complete three straight league wins under Rafa Benitez.

“At the moment they are looking good,” Sidwell said. “We’ll have to be at our best to go there and win but we know what we can produce.”