Brighton boss Graham Potter explains why he's missing supporters – even the Crystal Palace fans

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters this week pointed to the example of a well-attended London Palladium event in making a case for fans being allowed into stadia.

Photographs taken inside the London Palladium, where former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was holding an event, showed audiences wearing masks and separated by empty seats.

The continued absence of football fans is due to be debated by MPs on November 9 after a petition to allow their return received more than 196,000 signatures.

Potter, who takes Albion to Selhurst Park on Sunday afternoon, shares a similar view to Masters.

He relishes the “wonderful atmosphere” of derby clashes against the Eagles and feels an imminent return of crowds should be a realistic prospect.

“I feel a bit of a fraud speaking without the full info but my gut instinct says I agree with him,” Potter said of Masters’ comments.

“We’re allowed to go into pubs, we’re allowed to go indoors, we’re allowed to be at events, and I think football has the capacity to socially distance, to organise themselves, to allow supporters back in.

“I can see where he’s coming from. I tend to agree.

“This derby is a great one for the supporters. It generates a wonderful atmosphere. I thought the game last year at Selhurst Park was really good, it was a really good atmosphere – it was hostile but not too hostile, it was on the right level.

“I think the longer it (no fans) goes on, it’s very upsetting to see. The quicker that we can get supporters back, the better.”

The Brighton vs Palace clashes are often keenly contested affairs and it's the first fixture many Albion fans look for when the dates are released. Would three points at Selhurst Park be the sweetest of the season for Potter?

"It would be because it is our next game and it is also nice to win the next one," said Potter.

"We understand how important it is to both sets of supporters and to our supporters that is obviously what we are concerned with.

"We know how much they want us to win and we will try our best.

"Certainly if we can get the three points you mention then it will be a very nice feeling so we will try."