Goalkeeper John Sullivan has become the latest Albion player to earn an international call-up.

Sullivan, currently on work experience with Hastings United, admits to being in shock after earning selection for the England under-18s to face Turkey in a friendly on November 15.

He follows in the international footsteps of Dan Harding and Bobby Zamora, who were chosen for the England under-21s.

Sullivan said: "I am shocked to be chosen but it is a nice shock. I wish I was playing the game tomorrow."

The 17-year-old from Sompting is grateful for the assistance he has received from his coaches at Albion and Hastings boss Neville Southall.

He said: "I love it at Albion. The coaches have been fantastic for me.

"It was great at the start of the season when I was involved with the first team with Richard Martin, another youth goalkeeper.

"The signings of Wayne Henderson and Alan Blayney pushed us down the pecking order and with three youth keepers Chris Winterton is the third one the club knew there was a need to give us all games.

"It has worked out well. Richard has been a regular in the Albion youth team and Chris has played for Bognor Reserves.

I have been at Hastings after my spell at Burgess Hill last season."

Sullivan says working with Southall, a goalkeeping legend for Everton and Wales, has been a huge help.

He said: "It has been brilliant. I have had a run of eight or nine games and it has done me so much good.

"Mentally and physically I have got better playing with and against senior players at Ryman League level and Neville Southall has been superb.

"When I first came and saw him in the dressing room I thought 'what is someone who has won 100 caps for Wales and won European honours with Everton doing here as he is a legend?' He is quieter than I imagined and is a good manager.

"I could have been intimidated by someone of his stature but he has been great with me.

"I have generally played okay but he has told me if I haven't done well on one or two things to forget about them and relax. He has really helped my confidence."

Making a living as a professional with Albion is Sullivan's main aim.

He said: "I am in the second and final year of my scholarship and up for a professional contract. That would mean the world to me.

"It is down to me to kick on and show I deserve one."

Sullivan was an under-15s player when he was first discovered by Albion at a goalkeeping course run by Bob Bantock at Ardingly College and has come a long way since turning out for Thistle Youth in the Arun and Chichester League.

Now is is preparing to pull on the Three Lions shirt.

He said: "If I didn't make it at Brighton and went for trials at other clubs they would see I had been away with England and that would look good.

"But I am not thinking like that. I hope I can earn that contract with Albion and my England selection is a step towards that."

Martin Hinshelwood, Albion director of football, said: "John's selection shows we sign boys of good quality and the fact he is local makes it even better."