Stephen Ward is keen to make his loan move to Albion from Wolves permanent.

But the Irish left-back has put his own future on the backburner to concentrate on helping the Seagulls overhaul Reading to reach the play-offs.

Ward was relegated from the Championship with Wolves at the Amex on the final day last season.

He wants a happier climax to the campaign this time with Albion at Nottingham Forest as they try to better Reading's result at home to Burnley to pip them for sixth place.

Either way Ward is hoping it will not be his last game for the club after finishing runner-up to Matt Upson in the player of the season poll.

He said: “If I’m going to move on I don’t see why this wouldn’t be one of the better options for me. I’ve been here for a year, I’ve really enjoyed it.

“I couldn’t say one bad thing about the club. The crowd we get, the stadium we have is phenomenal, probably the best in the Championship, and with the new training ground the club is on a real up and a real high.

“If I was to move on from Wolves, Brighton would definitely be high on the list. It’s not in my hands, it’s going to be in other people’s hands to discuss the future but it has been a great move for me. I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s a really good club and one people should be privileged to play for.”

Kenny Jackett has indicated long-serving Wolves players loaned out to other clubs, like Ward, will not be part of his plans for the team he has guided to the League One title.

Ward said: "I have not spoken to anyone. It's been right at the back of my mind, it hasn't been my focus. Obviously there are things that have come out and I am sure they will want to move on with the squad they've built this season.

"If that's the case then we'll just wait and see what happens in the summer. My full focus is on the game and on being a Brighton player for hopefully the next couple of weeks if we can get into the play-offs."