Simon Rusk expects Albion prospect Mathias Normann to be better for his torrid start to the season.

The Norway under-21 midfielder impressed, nearly scored and was sent off in the under-23s’ opening 0-0 draw at home to Liverpool.

Normann, spoken to for a first-half foul and later booked for a similar offence, picked up a second yellow as he broke up a counter-attack late in the Premier League 1 clash at Lancing.

It was his league debut for the Seagulls after a year away on loan at Molde in the Norwegian Elitserien, where he scored one goal, gave three assists and was dismissed once in ten games.

Normann, 22, now looks set to stay with Albion, rather than going back out on loan, until at least the January transfer window.

Under-23s boss Rusk said: “We know a little bit more about Matthias than the new signings because he has been a Brighton player for a year although he has been out on loan at Molde, where he has done very well. I had some early contact with Mathias in the previous pre-season.

“He has come back this pre-season and he wants to have a period of time in the building, within the training ground and be a Brighton player for four or five months before we re-assess it.”

Rusk had no arguments about Normann’s late dismissal against Liverpool but believes it resulted partly from the summer lay-off.

Albion had to work hard for their clean sheet against a slick-passing Liverpool outfit.

Rusk added: “He is quite combative and I think it was the right decision.

“I think it was two yellow cards and maybe when he is a little more match sharp, with a few more games under his belt, he might not be picking up that second yellow.”

Albion are preparing to visit Arsenal at the Emirates on Monday (7pm).