Aaron Hughes wants Albion to follow in Northern Ireland’s footsteps – by getting the results he feels they deserve.

The vastly experienced centre-back defender is back with his club after helping the Irish open their Euro 2016 qualification programme with three wins out of three.

Hughes earned his 93rd cap in the 2-0 success over Greece in Piraeus on Tuesday and hopes the Seagulls – winless in seven league games – enjoy a similar upturn in fortunes.

He said: “Hopefully we will start getting a few results in the next few weeks which, like Northern Ireland, can reflect our performances.

“With Northern Ireland, we are finally getting rewards for performances which I think started a year ago. We had the summer tour and the performances were good and we have carried it on from there.”

Hughes insists he is happy at the Amex, despite struggling for playing time in the Championship.

He is expected to be on the bench when Middlesbrough visit on Saturday.

But he is likely to see action during a hectic burst of five league fixtures plus a Capital One Cup trip to Tottenham before the next pause for international fixtures.

The summer signing said: “It's going okay at Brighton. I am enjoying it. It is a fantastic set up. The coaching staff is good and there is a good group of players.”