ANGEL Rangel believes Swansea City's automatic promotion hopes are on the line when they host West Bromwich Albion tonight.

Fourth-placed Swansea can close the gap on the Baggies, in second, to six points with victory at the Liberty this evening.

But an away win would leave Swansea 12 points adrift with just nine Championship fixtures remaining.

And Rangel concedes that Paulo Sousa's team would then be left to focus on a play-off push.

"We have been dreaming of second place but after we drew at the weekend it is further away," the full-back said.

"West Brom won and you wouldn't expect them to drop many points between now and the end of the season, so it is already going to be difficult for us.

"It's not impossible, but the top two is quite far away. If we can win tonight things will look a bit different, and that's what we have to try to do.

"We will then be only six points behind West Brom and, with another nine games to go, there will still be a chance.

"We just have to try to pick up as many points as we can and hope that the others drop a few."

According to the averages, Swansea could need as many eight wins from here on in to be in with a shout of reaching the Premier League via the automatic route.

That would require an extraordinary run from a club who have not been helped in recent weeks by a succession of injuries.

Captain Garry Monk should make a welcome return tonight after a month out with a calf problem, while Gorka Pintado is back in the fold following a four-match ban.

Whether the top two are out of reach or not, three points would represent a major boost to Swansea's hopes of securing a play-off spot after the frustration of last Saturday's goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday.

"It's a final for us," Rangel added. "Any point from now on is going to be like gold because at this stage of the season, everyone is fighting for something.

"West Brom are a side with good quality, which means they don't always have to play that well to win.

"But we beat them away earlier in the season and, if we can get the freshness in our legs, we can beat them again."

Roberto Di Matteo's team arrive in Wales on the back of successive home victories, although they haven't won on the road in three attempts.

Swansea hope a sizeable Liberty crowd will help tilt the game in their favour after Sousa criticised supporters over the weekend.

"We didn't play as well as normal and the fans want more," Rangel said.

"When you are used to having sweeties, you moan when you don't get them.

"But I think the fans have been fantastic this season and I'm sure they will be right behind us tonight."

gareth.vincent@swwmedia.co.uk