Albion staff are preparing to welcome home and away fans to the Amex this season.

But several conditions must be met before, as hoped, they open gates for the final home game of the campaign.

About 7,500 spectators (25% of capacity) could witness the visit of a Manchester City team who are likely to be the newly-crowned Premier League champions by then.

There is also hope a small number of Seagulls supporters will be allowed into the final game of the campaign, at Arsenal on May 23.

It is a year this weekend since Albion last played a ‘normal’ match not subject to anti-Covid restrictions, away to Wolves.

That has for the most part meant playing before empty stands.

They had 2,000 supporters in for each of two home fixtures in December and 2,500 saw a friendly versus Chelsea last summer.

The pathway out of lockdown announced early last week allowed for clubs to host up to 10,000 fans on the final day of this season, when Albion are at the Emirates.

Premier League clubs are believed to be in agreement over moving the previous round back to Monday, May 17 and Tuesday, May 18 to allow similar attendances.

But that would depend on all Government targets being met at other key stages of the return to normality, including the reopening of schools and non-essential shops.

Any return to a regional tiering system to control Covid could also scupper plans.

Clubs are aware there are several hurdles which need to be cleared - including discussions with broadcasters.

But is understood the preferred position of most, if not all, clubs is to play the last two rounds with fans present.

Albion staff have been advised to be ready for what would be a late decision to switch the game against Manchester City from its current date on May 15 and host about 7,500 fans, some of whom could be in the away section.

Such a move would be seen as key to the fairness of the competition, allowing all 20 teams to have a match with home supporters in the final two rounds.

It would also help clubs who have not staged test events to put protocols into place ahead of what it is hoped will be a return to full stadia at the start of next season.

As things stand, there could be clubs who have not had any fans present all season but suddenly need to cater for full houses, all within Covid protocols, next term.

POTTER ADMITS TO CONCERN AND FRUSTRATION OVER LAMPTEY

Should plans to move Week 37 back NOT come to fruition, Albion would be happy for fans to be allowed in on the last day, even though they are playing away.

Graham Potter spoke recently to that effect during a press conference.

But it is feared there could be opposition from some of the other away teams.

That in turn would raise concern over a potential PR own goal of some clubs voting to shut fans out for Week 38 when the Government have said they can return.

But that scenario is some way off yet.