GIANT hitman Lorenzo Pinamonte is out to make a big impression at Withdean.

The 6ft 3ins Italian striker, so impressive on his Albion debut at Swansea on Saturday, can't wait to show the club's home fans what he can do.

Pinamonte, signed on a month's loan from Bristol City, relished a chance of first team action in the Vetch Field mud.

And he admitted: "I'm looking forward to playing at home. People tell me it's a very good atmosphere.

"My gaffer at Bristol City came to me on Friday and asked if I wanted to play a few games for Brighton and I thought 'Why not?'

"I've been in England for a year and half now and I've scored a lot of goals in the reserves, but I need to play first-team football.

"I could go back to Italy if I wanted to but I like England and I want to stay here for another two or three years."

Pinamonte won plenty of balls in the air at the Vetch Field and really started to impress on the ground in the second half.

He had a couple of well struck drives held by goalkeeper Roger Freestone and produced the precise cross from which Paul Rogers so nearly forced an equaliser.

His physical presence and neat touch could make him the perfect partner for Gary Hart, who missed Saturday's game because of flu.

The new boy added: "The guys gave me a very good welcome and I enjoyed myself, but it was a very hard game.

"I'm good in the air and I can hold the ball to give it back to midfield."

Pinamonte came through Foggia's youth set-up before being recommended by an agent to City's former manager John Ward.

He scored on his debut at home to Norwich last season and has hit more than 20 goals for the reserves in his time at Ashton Gate.

But current boss Tony Pulis already has two experienced big men up front in Peter Beadle and Steve Torpey and needs to cut his wage bill before he can make further signings.

Pinamonte's performance was one of the highlights of a difficult afternoon for Micky Adams, who spent most of last week chasing a loan signing.

But the Albion boss insists it is too early to say whether the loan arrangement will lead to a permanent deal.

Adams said: "I'm very pleased with him. He's a big target man, he can get hold of the ball, he's got a nice left foot and I think he's going to score goals

"We'll take it a game at a time with him. We're just pleased to have him on board.

"Flu and suspension have cost us four strikers so I've got to be pleased to get one on loan as quickly as that."

Albion will hope to get Hart, Mark Walton, Scott Ramsay and Ross Johnson fit in time for Sunday's noon showdown with leaders Barnet.

But Darren Carr, ruled out by flu at Swansea, misses the Boxing Day clash through suspension.

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