Fikayo Tomori has revealed the part a Portuguese legend is playing in his Albion progress.

The on-loan Chelsea defender went on as substitute for unwell Lewis Dunk half an hour into the 3-1 win over Birmingham last night. He came through impressively in a new-look back-line alongside goalscoring centre-back Uwe Huenemeier.

Tomori had previously come off the bench in the 2-1 defeat by Newcastle at the Amex and started at Leeds recently, both in full-back berths.

Chelsea coach – and former Porto and Portugal star – Paulo Ferreira has been in regular contact and is keeping close tabs on the player.

Tomori said: “I have a lot of help from Chelsea, coming to see me at Brighton.

“Sometimes they come to see the games. They came to see the Newcastle game. I saw Paulo Ferreira after that game and it is a great help.

“I have no problems here but it just to make sure.”

Tomori was on red alert before last night’s game with Albion, aware Dunk was not feeling 100%.

He said: “Everyone was telling me to get ready and stay warm.

“I saw in the warm-up he wasn’t 100% so I was ready to go and I thought I did all right.”

Meanwhile left-back Gaetan Bong savoured a first outing since the 2-1 win at Fulham three months ago.

Bong has been troubled by a knee problem initially suffered at home to QPR in late December.

He said: “It was a long way back. It is always hard to see the guys doing the job, fighting. But I was there in the dressing room speaking with the boys, trying to bring something.”