Evan Ferguson is eager to get back playing and help propel Brighton towards a European finish.
The Republic of Ireland star, 18, is expected to miss tonight’s trip to Nottingham Forest because of an ankle injury.
But the striker, who signed a long-term contract extension yesterday until 2028, is poised to return against Wolves on Saturday.
Speaking for the first time since agreeing his new deal, Ferguson said: “We want to finish the season as high up the table as we possibly can and try and get into Europe.
“If you’d have said that to me when I first joined I probably wouldn’t have believed you.
“But what the club has been doing since then makes sense as we’re now in those top places.”
Ferguson shipped a slight ankle injury in the recent win over Chelsea and manager Roberto De Zerbi won’t risk rushing the Meath man back.
“I feel alright, it’s just a small issue,” Ferguson told the Brighton website.
“I felt good in that game [against Chelsea] and once I get back in I should be able to get back into the swing of things quickly.”
Ferguson has scored eight goals in all competitions this season and feels his relationship with De Zerbi is going from strength to strength.
Manchester United and Tottenham are among the clubs tracking him, but the teenager is enjoying working with his Italian club boss.
“I think I’ve done well so far under the new head coach,” he continued.
“At the start it took time to get used to him, but since we got back to playing after the World Cup I’ve had my chance and he’s trusted me.
“He just tells me there’s no pressure, just to carry on working hard and doing my thing.
“It’s been good to be involved in the first team, although the last few months have gone very quickly. It’s been good to get some goals and assists in the Premier League.”
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