Richie Towell feels he's getting sharper with every runout for Bright and Hove Albion as he looks to force his way into manager Chris Hughton's plans.
Towell signed for the Championship club in November from Dundalk, making his debut in the FA Cup third-round defeat at Hull.
He hasn't played for the first team since that loss, featuring for the U-21s in their 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion on Monday night, but is confident his chances of helping the Seagulls' promotion push will increase as he improves his fitness.
“I feel like I’m getting a bit sharper playing in a more natural position and it felt a lot better," Towell told the club's website.
"I’ve been playing a bit higher compared to recent weeks and it was good to get back to a position that I’m used to, so I enjoyed it a lot more.
“I thought we played well, they’re a decent side, but we controlled the game in spells and had good chances to win it. On a personal level, it was good to get 90 minutes under my belt.
"I just need to work hard on the training ground and keep pushing." - Richie Towell
“I feel like I’m getting a bit sharper playing in a more natural position and it felt a lot better. I’ve been playing a bit higher compared to recent weeks and it was good to get back to a position that I’m used to, so I enjoyed it a lot more.
“If I keep getting some minutes under my belt and I get sharper, then hopefully I can keep knocking on the manager’s door.”
With Brighton - currently fourth in the league table, six points behind leaders Hull - out of the FA Cup Towell will have to kick his heels before getting another chance to show Hughton what he can do, but the midfielder is happy to use the break to sharpen up.
“For me personally, I haven’t played the volume of games that the others have had, but the rest has probably come at a good time after we picked up a few knocks.
“I’m sure the lads are happy with the break so they can recover. I just need to work hard on the training ground and keep pushing. I’m looking forward to another good week’s training and then we go again.”
