JOSE IZQUIERDO expects to make a big impact with Albion – and secure himself a trip to Russia.

But the Colombian winger is ready to be patient as he builds on his first Premier League start.

Izquierdo believes he could yet go to the World Cup finals with his country next summer if he starts for his club.

He is confident he showed signs of what he can do at Arsenal last Sunday and that he can only improve after his move from Belgium.

The summer signing from Club Brugge said: “It was a very defensive game (at Arsenal).

“The Premier League is stronger and faster, and you play against world class teams.

“I’m proud to be here. There are players here with good talent who also want to play.

“It’s a daily fight for your place and then you try to keep it for the next game.

“But, when I went to Once Caldas and Club Brugge, it was the same.

“I went almost three months hardly playing and people know the rest.”

Izquierdo started four of the first 15 matches in Club Brugge’s 2014-15 season and had just one full 90 minutes before December.

He went on to become one of the league’s biggest stars.

His recent lack of action has cost him a chance of joining the Colombian national squad for their crucial qualifier at home to Paraguay.

He said: “I set targets for myself every season.

“The goal of all Colombians is to get to Russia.

“But I need to be playing in the (Albion) team.

“It was normal I was left out. The players who are in are the ones in good form.

“If I’m playing here, I can get back in.”

Defeat overnight to Paraguay has put Colombia's chances back in the balance but they remain in a qualifying place ahead of the final round, when they visit Peru on Tuesday.

The road to Russia is hotting up for Albion’s current internationals.

Mathew Ryan took a step towards the finals by helping Australia draw 1-1 with Syria in a play-off yesterday.

Ryan made a fine reflex save but was later beaten by a controversial penalty.

The second leg takes place in Sydney on Tuesday with the winners going on to face a team from the CONCACAF zone for a place in the finals.

Shane Duffy and Davy Propper chase play-off places with the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands respectively over the weekend.