Robert Sanchez has been given a vote of confidence by his goalkeeping idol Iker Casillas.

But the Albion star says it is too early to have thoughts about following the Real Madrid legend into the Spanish national team.

Sanchez could play for Spain or England, having come to this country at a young age.

He is reportedly being monitored by both nations.

But, as his side prepare to face Crystal Palace, Sanchez is in no mood to start picking and choosing international teams.

He said: “All of my focus at the moment is on Brighton and my football here in the Premier League.

“If the opportunity does come, then I’ll sit down and decide.”

Casillas remains his sporting idol.

Sanchez said: “My style of game perhaps doesn’t match him but Iker Casillas was unbelievable.

“I did an interview the other day and he was friends with the person doing it.

"He sent me a little message saying about how well I was doing. It was amazing."

Sanchez goes head-to-head with a compatriot tomorrow as he faces a Palace side who have placed their trust in the hugely experienced Vicente Guaita between the sticks.

The two men were based in the same city for while – Guaita at Valencia and Sanchez in the youth set-up at Levante.

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But they never met in a derby.

Ahead of the Palace match, Sanchez said: “I don’t think I’ve played in any of those sorts of matches before.

“In Spain it was Valencia v Levante - but I was too young to experience those!”