Roberto De Zerbi has repeated his message that he wants more from Joao Pedro

The Albion forward is on 18 goals for the season across the competitions after his hat-trick in the 5-2 win at Sheffield United

De Zerbi has been pushing him to do even more – including after his two goals at Stoke in the previous round.

Speaking at Bramall Lane, he said: “I consider Joao Pedro a big potential player and my expectations for Joao are bigger than he is showing.

“He is playing very well and he is scoring a lot of goals but I think he can reach another higher level and I push for it because I am working for Brighton but I am working for my players to improve them and for them to be better.”

Albion made the semi-finals last season and would love another long cup run

But De Zerbi said: “We try to play every competition in the best way.

“I don’t know the future, in my head there is only one thing, the Luton game on Tuesday evening.

“We have to think game-by-game and competition-by-competition.”