Pervis Estupinan can be the “best left back in the Premier League” if he recovers well from his ankle injury, Fabian Huerzeler says.

Huerzeler said the defender is “full of energy and power” and the club are trying to integrate him back into the squad as fast as they can.

But the manager added the club are mindful that long injury returns are “not easy” – and they will not put pressure on him to rush back.

Speaking ahead of Brighton’s game against Arsenal, he said: “I think when he is his best shape, he's one of the best left backs in the Premier League. He's full of energy. He's full of power.

“Now we have to reintegrate him as quickly as possible because he had a long injury. Coming back from long injuries is not easy.

“He missed a lot of content and a lot of technical things also in the preseason. It's important now to get from a mix between video sessions and then the pitch sessions.

“That's why I think that he will be a great player for us again, but we shouldn't put pressure on him because after a long injury the players need time to adapt and that will be important.”

Estupinan had been out of action since April due to season-ending ankle surgery, missing preseason with Albion as well as the Copa America for Ecuador.

He made his return off the bench for Albion on Tuesday.

The left back could now be in line to play a part in Brighton defence at the Emirates alongside new signing Ferdi Kadioglu.

Huerzeler praised Brighton’s defence as a highlight of Albion’s strong start having conceded just one goal in three games.