With Albion hell-bent on promotion to the Premier League, not many people will mind if their interest in the FA Cup is over abruptly.

Like last year, when a dull third round draw away to then-Championship rivals Hull resulted in a 1-0 defeat for a makeshift side.

This unnecessary distraction theory does not sit easily with everybody, certainly not Niki Maenpaa.

For Albion's Finnish goalkeeper the return of the Seagulls' involvement in the FA Cup with Monday night's third round draw cannot come soon enough.

It offers a chance for Maenpaa to step out of David Stockdale's shadow and get a rare taste of first team action.

The No.1 on Maenpaa's shirt is misleading. The form of Stockdale, wearing 13, has been unlucky for the shot-stopper ever since he was signed two summers ago by the Seagulls from Dutch club VVV-Venlo.

In 66 Championship games, including the play-offs, Manepaa has played in just one, the 3-0 home win over Rotherham earlier in the season when Stockdale was injured.

He has been restricted to a total of five League Cup ties and that FA Cup exit at Hull (below), when he performed well to no avail.

The Argus: "I'm looking forward to January and the FA Cup," Maenpaa told The Argus. "That's hopefully a chance for me to show what I can do again in the first team and for us to go further than we did last year.

"In Finland people follow a lot of English football, especially the Premier League and back in the day the FA Cup.

"It's a really respected Cup if I compare it with other Leagues and other countries. Cup games are not really highly respected but in England I think it is really still a great competition. Everybody wants to win it."

Maenpaa is not complaining about his situation. He accepts it as an occupational hazard.

"You just need to understand the role of keepers," he said. "There is only one position and Stocko has done fantastic, the team has done fantastic.

 

"I just need to stay motivated and to push. That's the only way to help Stocko, the team and other players wanting to play. Then you have to be ready if the chance is open to you."

Maenpaa was among five fringe members of the first team given game time in Monday night's 2-1 comeback win for the under-23s against Wolves at Crawley's Checkatrade Stadium.

He has looked accomplished in his rare opportunities for the senior side but was at fault for the Wolves goal, when his failure to deal with a long ball emphasised the shortage of match minutes.

"I came out and didn't clear it," he said. "I should have dealt with it better. Unfortunately I just kicked the ball against the striker.

"It's been a couple of months ago already since I last had minutes. Once in a while it's good to have some game rhythmn and play with the under-23s."

Maenpaa has not had much joy with his country either, understudying Lukas Hradecky from Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt. Their World Cup qualifying hopes are already over.

"I didn't go for the internationals last time," he said. "I had a little problem with my knee, so it was decided to stay here for rehabilitation.

"The next game is in March. Results have been really disappointing. We have one point after four games. The whole year has been really bad actually. We haven't won any games. I hope 2017 will be better."

Starting with an FA Cup win and continuing with promotion for Albion as Maenpaa, who will be 32 in January, faces up to an uncertain future.

"There are still 28 games left and it's still a really long season," he said. "We need to keep on doing what we have done so far. Of course, the Premier League is our target. We were so close last year, just goals, not even points.

"We want to do even better this year. As for my situation next year, it's open."