Jose Izquierdo believes he has improved with Albion in the Premier League - and that could carry him through to the World Cup finals in Russia.

The left-winger has linked up with Jose Pekerman's provisional 35-man Colombian squad.

That has to be reduced to 23 by June 4, three days after Colombia play a warm-up friendly against Egypt in Italy.

Izquierdo hopes to do enough to make the cut and join illustrious fellow countrymen Falcao and James Rodriguez in Pekerman's plans.

He said: "I like to always contribute to the team with speed. I've learned to defend in the league where I'm playing, I've improved a lot and I think that's what I can contribute to the national team."

Izquierdo made 23 Premier League starts and nine substitute appearances for the Seagulls in his debut campaign in England, scoring five goals.

Izquierdo will have a quick rematch with Sadio Mane, part of the Liverpool team that thrashed Albion at Anfield on the final day, if he is chosen by Argentinian Pekerman.

Mane's Senegal are in Colombia's group in Russia, along with Japan and Poland. The South Americans beat Japan 4-1 in the group stages of the last World Cup in Brazil before losing 2-1 to the host nation in the quarter-finals.

Albion keeper Mathew Ryan is certain to make the squad cut with Australia. They have a training camp in Turkey and friendlies against the Czech Republic on June 1 and Hungary on June 9 in preparation for group games in Russia against France, Denmark and Peru.