Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton believes his players have a point to prove against relegation rivals Cardiff City on Tuesday after suffering their heaviest Premier League home defeat by Bournemouth at the weekend.


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Cardiff, who currently occupy the final relegation spot in 18th place, could pull Brighton within two points of the drop zone with a victory at the Amex Stadium.


Hughton described Saturday`s 5-0 home defeat by Bournemouth as his side`s "worst overall performance" of the season but maintained they will not be short of motivation.


"There won`t be any difficulty in lifting the players," Hughton told a news conference on Monday. "They`ll want to prove a point on Tuesday, they`ll want to show an attitude that they were disappointed with Saturday.


"There won`t be one player who hasn`t been through a difficult period on the back of a bad defeat.


"It`s always about how you respond. You respond because you`re a professional and because you don`t have a choice - this is the game, the ups and downs of the game. I expect very much a reaction from our players."


Hughton will be without French winger Anthony Knockaert for the next three games after he was shown a straight red card for a nasty lunge on Bournemouth`s Adam Smith.


"It`s very clear for everybody to see that it`s a bad challenge that deserved the red card," Hughton added. "It`s one that he realises hasn`t done us any favours.


"I think it`s a bit of frustration, emotion. What he can`t afford to do is let those frustrations and emotions be a part of his game."