Albion are nursing Kazenga LuaLua through games to avoid the risk of more injury problems.

LuaLua’s loan spell with the Seagulls last season was interrupted by hamstring trouble.

Newcastle have told them to be careful this season with their electrifying and unpredictable young winger.

Manager Gus Poyet said: “We are trying to use him the best way we can without risking an injury, that is the main thing with Kaz.

“He is probably already fed up with us because everyone – the manager, assistant, coach, physio, conditioning coach – is telling him what and what not to do.

“That is because we want him fit. He is a different player then.”

Poyet must decide whether to start with LuaLua again against Brentford at Withdean tonight after recalling him for Saturday’s 2-1 home win against Oldham.

LuaLua revealed to The Argus: “My hamstring is something I need to be careful with. Newcastle said that to me and they said that to Brighton.

“Last season when I did my hamstring I went back to Newcastle, came back and did exactly the same thing again, which I don’t want to do again.

“I don’t know if I’ll start tonight. If I do I’ll give 100% like I do every game, so we’ll see.

“I want to start every game but I’ve got a problem with my hamstring. I can’t play on Saturday and Tuesday because the games are too close.

“That was exactly the same last season. When I was playing Saturday and Tuesday I kept doing my hamstring every time.”

LuaLua made an explosive start to his return to Albion with a wonder goal against MK Dons at Withdean.

He was withdrawn at Carlisle, where he was watched by Newcastle, before an eyecatching second-half cameo as a substitute at Plymouth last week.

LuaLua was back from the kick-off against Oldham but was almost pulled off by Poyet before his influential role in the last 15 minutes leading up to Fran Sandaza’s stoppage-time winner.

Poyet admitted: “The problem with Kaz is that against Oldham, maybe for ten or 15 minutes in the second half, I was really thinking hard about changing him because we needed something more.

“Then he came out with the last 15 minutes when he was probably the best player on the pitch. I cannot say why I didn’t change it or why I would.”

LuaLua will not be 20 until December. He admits he still has a lot to learn and is nowhere near realising his full potential.

“There are many things to come from me,” he said. “I try to learn in every game I play and do good things for the fans, myself and the team.

“Hopefully I can improve. I don’t know how to head the ball, I am practising crossing with my left foot – there are many things I need to improve.”

LuaLua, on loan to Albion until January, is happy for that learning curve to continue under Poyet.

He said: “He’s a great man, a nice man to work with. He’s honest and I am enjoying working with him a lot.

“He helps the players. He wants us to play football and not many teams do that in this league.

“You can tell from the way he is and the way he coaches the team that he can step up the ladder. Hopefully one day he can be a Premier League manager.

“It would be great if that was with Brighton. He is doing a great job at the moment.

“We mustn’t look too far ahead though. Obviously we are in League One and we need to keep winning games, then we will see where we are at the end of the season.”