Anthony Knockaert: First goal is to stay up again

But the French winger believes they can cope with a difficult start and better their finishing position second time around.

Chris Hughton’s side ended up 15th last season after promotion, seven points clear of relegation.

They face last season’s top four - Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and Spurs - in the first seven games.

Knockaert said: “We don’t need to change our goal, which will be to stay up again in the Premier League once again. It would also be good to improve on our position from last year.

“We have the confidence to start the season well and I am sure that experience will allow us to improve.

“We just need to focus on ourselves. We proved that we’ve got the quality and we showed it last year.”

Knockaert and his team-mates start pre-season training on Monday following 48 hours of medical and physical tests at the Lancing complex.

The 26-year-old scored three goals in 33 games last season after shining in the Championship the season before with 15 goals in 45 appearances.

He will be keen to avoid another injury setback when Hughton takes the squad back to Austria a week tomorrow for a six-day training camp and the opening friendly in Switzerland against St Gallen on July 14 (2pm).

Knockaert suffered an ankle injury ten minutes into the first friendly in Austria last season against Fortuna Dusseldorf. It sidelined him until the final warm-up against Atletico Madrid and left him playing catch-up.

“The trip will be an important time and a good opportunity for everyone in the squad to meet the new players and be together,” Knockaert said.

“It’s a long time to be away (since last season). In the last week I was starting to get bored, so I am happy to be back and ready to start work ahead of the new season.”

Albion begin the Premier League campaign on August 11 at Watford, where Knockaert was the victim of a red card challenge by Miguel Britos in last season’s goalless draw which earned the Seagulls their first point.