Promising Brighton attacker lays down his aims going forward

Sarmiento has laid out his plans going forward after an injury has hampered his season so far.

The 19-year-old was expected to break through to the first team this season and did impress in his appearances in the Carabao Cup but an injury on his Premier League debut against West Ham has curtailed his progress.

The winger told the club website: “The aim at Brighton is to keep impressing and keep getting more minutes under my belt.

Brighton and Hove Albion's Jeremy Sarmiento (centre) is helped off the pitch after picking up an injury during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion at the London Stadium, London

“I’ll back myself in any situation so if I keep doing well, then hopefully I can play more games.

“The gaffer has told me to be myself, and repeat what I do in training in the games.

“The team is heading in the right direction and although we haven’t always got the results we would have wanted, we have real energy to keep pushing.”

On the international stage, Sarmiento has started to become a regular for Ecuador, despite playing for England as a youth player.

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The attacker switched allegiance at under 19 level after he stopped playing in Benfica during his contract situation.

After joining Albion, Sarmiento was given a chance by Ecuador after making his debut against Swansea City.

He said: “For Ecuador, I started the last two games I played in, in what is a whole new set-up, with a mix of experienced players and quite a few youngsters.

“The coach spoke to me and said I’ve got the talent to come straight into the team and it’s great that he has such confidence in me.

“Hopefully I can repay him with my performances.”