Sebastien Carole has revealed the Latin influences behind the dribbling skills which lit up Withdean's day of celebration.

The little French right winger was arguably the star of the show on Saturday with his dazzling footwork behind much of Albion's best attacking work.

He also provided the pass from which Jake Robinson might have grabbed a late winner for the Seagulls.

The summer signing from Monaco ranks former Marseille winger Chris Waddle among his early influences.

But a current Brazilian star and an Argentinian predecessor of Carole's in the principality get the votes for being real inspirations.

Asked about his dribbling skills, Carole just giggled and admitted: "I love that, I love dribbling with the ball.

"My favourite player is Ronaldinho. I try, just try, to do what he does but sometimes it doesn't work.

"I liked Chris Waddle, he had a fantastic right foot when he played for Marseille.

"But I supported Monaco even before I played for them. Marcelo Gallardo was a very good dribbler there, good finisher, good passer. I played with him and I loved that time."

With a glittering career at River Plate and Argentina and an average of one goal every three games in international football, Gallardo is not a bad role model to have.

By contrast, Carole is not really a goalscorer but he creates and entertains in equal measure.

Highlights on Saturday included the first half run from his own half which led to his shot being deflected wide and the wizardry to win a free-kick from which Alexandre Frutos tested keeper Lewis Price.

After moving to the left following the replacement of Frutos with Adam El-Abd, Carole chipped the lovely pass from which Robinson might have settled the contest.

But there was also plenty of defensive work to get through and that has proved Carole's biggest culture shock since crossing the Channel.

He said: "The manager tells me I have to defend a lot, certainly more than in Monaco. But it's all right, I'm happy with that.

"Sometimes he tells me 'Seb keep defending, then you can attack' and I listen to him."

Carole now finds himself patrolling the right flank along with Gary Hart, the man he originally replaced in the side.

They were supposed to be rivals for a place. Now Hart has switched to rightback and can see the irony of a situation which sees him offering support to his new French mate.

Hart admitted: "When he came here and took my position you're going to be disappointed. Anybody would be.

"But I enjoy playing with him because he wants the ball. It's easy for me to give him the ball and let him get on with it.

"He worries me sometimes. He plays when he shouldn't play but that's what you get with a flair winger like he is.

"You get the rough with the smooth and hopefully I'm there in case he makes a mistake."

Hart was not the only one impressed as Albion gave as good as they got against the Tractor Boys.

In the back row of the North Stand, media pundit Andy Townsend showed a keen interest in the French winger.

The former Eire midfielder spends more time watching top Champions League stars than low-key imports in lower leagues but said: "I thought Carole played well.

"Every time he got the ball he tried to make something happen.

"He seemed to be prepared to take an extra touch to settle the ball down and try to create something. He's not someone I knew about before."

So he might be interested to know Carole did not rate the display against Ipswich as his best of the season.

He said: "Maybe I played better at Leeds because I had an assist and a goal.

"But I try to do something with the ball. It just doesn't always work."