The inclusion of Max Sanders in the squad for Albion's FA Cup quarter-final at Manchester United highlighted both the hope and extra difficulty for the club's brightest young prospects.

Chris Hughton turned to the 19-year-old from Horsham for central midfield cover on the bench, with Dale Stephens, Steve Sidwell and Jayson Molumby all sidelined by injuries.

For Sanders, who has been with Albion since the age of eight, "it felt like a dream", a first step towards emulating the progress of Solly March and Lewis Dunk through the academy to become first team regulars.

March (below) said: "He was training with us last week and he was training really well. The gaffer's rewarded him for that. Hopefully he can take a lot from that and it will motivate him for the rest of the season.

The Argus: "He's trained with us on and off for a while. He looks a good midfielder. Hopefully he can use this as an inspiration to get here in the future."

Sanders is not an isolated example. In the Carabao Cup early on in the season, Hughton used Molumby, Des Hutchinson, Aaron Connolly, James Tilley and Ales Mateju.

March made his debut when Albion were in the Championship, Dunk when they were in League One.

Promotion to the Premier League has ensured the pathway is that much harder, but Albion's under-23s under the astute leadership of Simon Rusk are rising to the challenge.

The likes of Christian Walton at Wigan and Ben White at Newport County have thrived out on loan.

Results are not the be all and end all for Rusk. At under-23s it is more about development and good habits, but their form reflects progression.

A few hours before the first team's exit at Old Trafford, they reached the quarter-finals of the Premier League Cup by despatching Everton 3-0 at the Lancing training complex.

They are on course for the Premier League division two play-offs as well with three matches remaining next month, against West Brom and Stoke at Crawley and at Wolves.

The victory over Everton stretched their unbeaten run across both competitions to nine matches, with 21 goals scored and only three conceded.

The sequence includes two other Premier League opponents, Newcastle and Southampton.

A combined side, including under-18s, has also reached the final of the Sussex Senior Cup against Crawley.

Viktor Gyokeres scored his second goal in as many games against Everton. Prior to that the Swedish striker partnered Leo Ulloa against Southampton at the Amex.

He averaged one goal every two games as Brommapojkarna won the title in Sweden's second tier before joining Albion with girlfriend Amanda Nilden, who plays for Albion's women.

The Argus: Rusk (above) said: "He has settled in well. It is not always easy coming from another country, but the other lads have helped him.

"The philosophy of the club is not just about good players, it is about good people as well.

"They need to be patient, maintain their standards, work hard and take every opportunity they get. The gaffer has demonstrated he is not afraid to use them in the cups.

"Some, like Christian and Ben, have done well out on loan. For others it is better they remain here to continue their development.

"Players break through now in the Premier League not so much at 18 or 19 as at 22 and 23.

"It is a challenge, but one that can be met. He is an extreme example, but who would have thought Harry Kane would be a global superstar when he was sitting on the bench at Millwall."

Who would have thought too that Sanders would be on the bench at Old Trafford.

He said: "It was the first time I had ever travelled with the first team for a game. It really hit me when I was at the ground, and it felt like a dream.

"When I went out onto the pitch, it was so surreal and there were so many fans there. I'd never had that experience before. All the lads were saying that it was a fantastic place to be involved with the team for the first time.

"It's the biggest club in the world, so to go to a packed stadium with a lot of Brighton fans there too was unbelievable.

"Now I want to try and keep playing well for the under-23s and keep the unbeaten run going for them. Hopefully I can get on the bench for the first team again and maybe make my debut.

"If you look at both of them (March and Dunk), they both broke through from the academy, and deservedly so.

"They're both having good careers as well. Hopefully I can reach that level, but I will need to keep working hard."