Kaoru Mitoma has been told he has not been forgotten by his national team as he recovers from injury.

The Albion winger is expected to miss the rest of the season after being ruled out by a back issue.

He remains closely involved with the Seagulls squad and has been visited by a member of the national team set-up.

Japan assistant coach Toshihide Saito attended the recent game with Arsenal at the Amex.

He stayed afterwards to speak behind the scenes to both Mitoma and the Gunners’ Takehiro Tomiyasu.

The injury appears to have quietened the customary transfer speculation surrounding Mitoma, who has emerged as one of the most dangerous wide players in the Premier League.

Mitoma was also visited by Saito last season.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom recently revealed Albion were the most-watched club by TV viewers in Japan of any in the world between January, 2023, and the end of last season.