FIKAYO TOMORI has told how he bounced back from own goal agony to help Albion close in on promotion.

The Seagulls could go up this weekend and their on-loan Chelsea defender has played a key role in the last two wins.

Now he has spoken openly to The Argus about the nightmare of a blunder on his debut, the tough days which followed and the support of manager and team-mates.

He has also highlighted the weight which words from skipper Bruno carry among the squad.

Tomori scored a clumsy own goal in his first outing as Albion crashed 3-1 at Lincoln in the FA Cup and said it took time to get over it.

He said: “It wasn’t the best thing to happen to me and, for a few days I was a bit down.

“The players and the manager and staff and everyone around me helped me a lot.

“I was able to rise through it and I think I have coped well to get through it.

“It is the past but it is a learning experience I guess.

“It’s just stuff that happens. It could have happened in my first game, my last game, any game so, hopefully, it doesn’t happen too often!

“It hasn’t happened again and I’ve got it out of the way.”

Tomori said compliments from the skipper at training had been key in his progress.

He added: “Bruno is such a big character in the changing room that, when he says something good about you, it is obviously going to boost you.

“He is very encouraging in training. When you have done something good, he lets you know about it.

“That builds your confidence.

“He talks to me a lot. I’ve come here as cover for right-back really.

“When I watch Bruno, I watch the way he moves his body and his movement.

“You can see how composed he is on the ball, a great player.

“He has played for a long time.”

Tomori still has three more seasons on his Chelsea contract but believes his bosses are pleased with how the Albion loan has worked out.

He has impressed with his assured touch on the ball and the spring which helps him compete in the air at both ends.

He said: “Playing men’s football was the main aim of this.

“Playing for a team at the top of the Championship, going for promotion, where you have got to be on top of your game in every match.

“My priority is to defend and, hopefully, I do that well.”

Albion boss Chris Hughton is expected to confirm this morning whether Lewis Dunk, troubled by illness recently, is fit to take his place in central defence against a Wolves side who will be missing first-choice goalkeeper Cark Ikeme through injury.