Jose Izquierdo does his bit with Colombia, now for safety

Now Albion’s winger hopes a starring role in keeping his club safe can help secure that passage to Russia.

Izquierdo is likely to be a key player as the Seagulls aim for 40 points and security in their debut Premier League season.

But thoughts of his early days as a bit-part player helped him take his limited opportunities with Colombia during the international break.

He was pleased with how he did after going on as sub for the closing stages against France in Paris and Australia at Craven Cottage.

The highlight was the moment he was fouled by Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti to earn the match-winning penalty in the Stade de France.

Izquierdo told The Argus: “The coach didn’t talk to me about how I did.

“But when you are a player you more or less know how things are going.

“I know the work I did in the minutes I was able to play was important.

“The minutes I came in against France and Australia, I made the most of them.

“There are players who go away with the national team but who don’t get the opportunity to go on even for a few minutes.

“I had the opportunity to play in both games.

“I think I have left a good feeling for the coach, for the people there and now we have to show the rest at Brighton.

“I went on for a few minutes – but it was the same when I started here.

“A the start for Brighton I had ten minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes and you have to make the most of that, maybe try to change the game.”

Not many who follow Colombia closely had backed Izquierdo to make the squad for the final two friendlies before the World Cup squad is chosen.

Leading reporter Marden Devia, of the RCN network, went closest to backing him, telling The Argus: “It’s unfair but they won’t call him up.”

Izquierdo admitted: “It was a big surprise to be called up.

“I spoke to a lot of people who said I had a chance to go to the national team.

“But, until you see your name on the sheet of paper, it is hard to be sure about it.

“But really I only had a small hope to be called for the national team.”

Izquierdo has little doubt that his season changed for the better at the turn of the calendar year.

He sees the game on New Year’s Day versus Bournemouth, when he set up two goals, as the day he really started to get into his stride.

These days he comes across almost as a different person, laughing and joking his way through interviews - helped by his improved English - and expressing himself on the pitch.

Performing like that on one of the biggest stages in the world in terms of domestic leagues has taken him back into the plans of national boss Jose Pekermen.

A World Cup spot would be special and make up for the disappointment of missing the under-20s World Cup in his home nation back in 2011.

Remember Gus Poyet talking about difficult things being “complicated” in his Albion days?

Izquierdo has described his early weeks in England as “complicado” in interviews for back home.

“It was very complicated because I didn’t play,” he says now.

“Everything changed because I’m playing, scoring goals, giving assists.

“Things weren’t going so well and I didn’t play so much.

“If you want to get the call from the national team, if your are not playing it’s – well, complicado!”

Now, with Anthony Knockaert banned, the pressure will be on Izquierdo, whose surname means, appropriately, ‘left’ (as in left-hand side) to offer magic.

But could he become Jose ‘Derecho’ with forays to the right at times while Knockaert is out?

Izquierdo does nor relish that prospect, even just popping up on the other side intermittently.

But he knows it is something he should add to his game.

He said: “I have played on the right but my best level is on the left side. I know I have to improve that because in football these days you have to be fully functional and play in different positions.

“If you always score and you are playing well in one position, why change? But I know it is something I have to learn.”

The most obvious way to cover for the banned Knockaert would be to start Solly March on the right.

But Jurgen Locadia will feel he has a shout of taking on Leicester too after doing well in a left-of-centre attacking role in the FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford ahead of the international break.

For Izquierdo, it is a season for learning and one he is tackling with a smile, even when it comes to matters off the pitch.

Easter weekend no longer means two games in quick succession in the top flight.

But it is still a significant date on the calendar.

“In Colombia it is Semana Santa (Holy Week) and it is massive for people who are very religious.

“ “I don’t know if you have it here.

“Do you have a week off here?

“Two days? You only get two days?

“In Colombia you go to church, people go out and each day they have something different.

“But I won’t be doing anything special as I’m here.”

Apart from potentially starring in the Premier League and moving closer to the World Cup.

That would be pretty special.