Alan Blayney today revealed his desperation to leave Southampton and make a permanent move to Albion.

The Northern Irishman returned in goal for the Seagulls on a month's loan from Saints in place of the injured Wayne Henderson in Saturday's 2-2 home draw with Coventry.

Blayney, who ended last season on loan to Albion, is behind Antti Niemi and Paul Smith at St Mary's and fears his career will stagnate on a diet of reserve team football.

"I'm still third choice and I'm dying to get away," Blayney said. "Not because it's a bad club, I love it at Southampton, but I have to get away if I want to further my career.

"It's been a nightmare, because I've been playing reserve team football. That is decent to get injured players coming back and things like that but you cannot be stuck in the reserves every week, you have to be playing competitive first team football."

Albion tried and failed to buy Blayney, 23, during the close season. Southampton were reluctant to let him leave at that stage, due to doubts over Niemi's future, and the clubs struggled to agree a fee, so Henderson was signed instead on loan from Aston Villa.

The Republic of Ireland under-21 international has already made clear his desire to join the Seagulls permanently as he fights to be fit for Saturday's trip to Burnley.

"I know of Wayne but I don't know him personally," Blayney said. "His injury is not long term, so I don't know what's happening.

"I've always said I'd love to come to Brighton but whether that happens we'll just have to wait and see."