Michel Kuipers wants to play in the Premiership, but Albion fans need not worry.

The formidable Dutchman's declaration of his ambition does not mean he is eager to become the latest high-profile departure.

Kuipers' dream is to reach the top flight with the Seagulls in a new stadium at Falmer.

Albion's contented custodian revealed: "Of course, you want to be in the Premiership and that is definitely my ambition.

"I will just keep plugging away to improve and you never know, if we get a stadium then Brighton can go all the way.

"My contract finishes at the end of the season, but I'm very happy here. This is my fifth season and I love Brighton, the fans, everything about the club. I am probably more Brightonian now than Dutch!"

It has been quite a turnaround for Kuipers after losing his place to Ben Roberts last season. He had a spell on loan at Hull and cheated death in a car crash on the way into training.

Now he is in the form of his life in the Championship. With Roberts plagued by persistent back trouble, the amiable ex-marine from Amsterdam has grabbed the chance to establish himself as undisputed No.1 with both hands.

Kuipers maintains his position as Albion's only ever-present this season at Queens Park Rangers tomorrow.

It follows the 150th senior appearance of his career, 146 of them for the Seagulls, in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Wolves.

Kuipers gets as much as a buzz out of making great saves, like the diving stop from Keith Andrews' shot which denied Wanderers a late winner at Molineux, as a striker does from scoring.

"It was a really good feeling to get my hand to it and push it around the post," Kuipers said. "That is why after the save I got up and had a little celebration.

"I have been really pleased so far this season. I think this is definitely the best season I have had so far, because it is also at a very high level.

"I've had good seasons in the past, but they were in Division Two or Three. It's really good to perform well in the Championship."

The draw at Wolves, which followed the Boxing Day comeback against Gillingham, emphasised the determination of Kuipers and his colleagues to survive in the Championship after the double blow of losing Darren Currie to Ipswich and Danny Cullip to Sheffield United.

"We went back to three centre halves, filled up the midfield and Mark McCammon was on his own up front," Kuipers said.

"Everybody adapted really well to that and it has given us massive confidence for QPR.

"We don't really look at the results of other teams. We know we have to achieve about eight or nine wins.

"All the boys stick together. We were disappointed for Brighton's sake that Darren and Danny have gone, but we were very pleased for them personally, because they are chasing promotion with Ipswich and Sheffield United.

"When those two left we all said to each other we are not going to let this interfere with what we are doing, we're going to stay focused and our aim is to stay in this division. I think the boys have responded brilliantly. Players like Kerry Mayo have shown so much character to be out of the team and come back like he has.

"Dan Harding was dropped against Gillingham, played in midfield against Wolves, which is not really his position, and put in a really good performance."

The same could be said of Kuipers' own display, not just at Molineux but throughout the campaign to date.

The 30-year-old, promoted three times and relegated once in his four seasons with Albion, believes there is plenty more to come as he strives to follow the example of another keeper who launched his career with Bristol Rovers.

"I think I can get better," Kuipers said. "I am getting better all the time. I was watching videos the other day of our promotions and I am still learning and developing.

"The most important thing is that I am eager to get better and I am still very young for a goalkeeper. Look at Nigel Martyn for Everton. He is 38 and he is flying."