Paddy McCourt is willing to be Albion’s game-changer off the bench if it gets them back to winning ways.

But the new fans’ favourite admits he is really targeting a starting role for the Seagulls.

Supporters have quickly taken to the Irish playmaker, who has been given run outs in draws with Blackpool, Nottingham Forest and Cardiff.

McCourt’s contribution and return to match fitness have earned him a recall to the Northern Ireland squad.

But he admits he still has plenty more to offer for his club.

The former Celtic midfielder said: “It’s always nice to hear the fans cheering when you come on.

“My job now is to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully try to make more of an impact when I come on.

“Starting games has always been my first ambition.

“But whether I’m starting or coming on I need to try to unlock the door when games are tight like the last three and just keep plugging away.”

Albion have not won in six league games ahead of Saturday’s trip to Watford but four of those matches have been draws.

They will be missing banned duo Jake Forster-Caskey and Inigo Calderon at Vicarage Road and have concerns over Watford-born striker Craig Mackail-Smith and Sam Baldock.

McCourt added: “We need a wee bit more luck in front of goal and a wee bit more clinical finishing. But we are not too far away.

“No one is disappointed with how we are playing. Apart from the first half against Blackpool the last three games have been good.

“If we keep playing like that we won’t be too far away.”