Albion loan signing Junior Lewis has snubbed the prospect of a permanent move to title rivals Reading.

The Leicester midfielder has pledged to honour his switch from the relegation-bound Premiership club to the Seagulls.

Reading manager Alan Pardew has been in touch with Leicester chief Dave Bassett about Lewis.

Bassett said: "I have given permission to Alan Pardew to speak to Junior and his agent with a view to a permanent deal.

"We would be looking for a fee of around £300,000, although that has to be finalised."

But Albion boss Peter Taylor revealed to us last night: "I am delighted to say Junior is not going to go anywhere.

"He is enjoying it with us. He signed a three month deal and there is a clause allowing him to move elsewhere if he wants to, but he has said he wouldn't do that to me and to Brighton now.

"He's told me he loves it here. He appreciates the support and if we get promotion my first job will be to get him sorted out. I will be pushing my chairman Dick Knight very hard."

Lewis, signed by Taylor three times, has made a big impact at Albion.

He scored on his full debut in the 3-1 home win against Reading last month, then grabbed the only goal against Huddersfield at Withdean.

Lewis helped the Seagulls to a 0-0 draw at Reading on Saturday and Taylor has hit out at the timing of their interest.

"I am disappointed with Reading," said Taylor. "They've had long enough to know what Junior Lewis is all about. Because I have signed him now they want to take one of our important players out.

"He has played really well and helped us pass the ball around. We are not such a predictable team now and he is very important to us.

"He has got a slight groin injury which has restricted him, so people haven't seen what he can really do. He can hardly train and he would be even better if he could train full time."

Taylor has urged another sell-out crowd to be patient tonight when Northampton visit the Withdean but told fans to expect goals. Northampton have not been involved in a 0-0 draw for 56 matches.

Brentford are at home to Chesterfield tonight while sixth-placed Huddersfield visit Wycombe.

For a full preview of tonight's game visit thisisthealbion.co.uk