Gus Poyet has called on Albion fans to give their unsung grafter the credit he deserves.

Poyet has made Alan Navarro a midfield mainstay after the former MK Dons man struggled for a regular spot under Russell Slade’s command.

Now the current Seagulls chief has admitted Navarro is under-rated by many of the Withdean faithful.

Poyet, hoping for a first home league win in charge when Millwall visit on Saturday, said: “People only see the players when they are on the ball. Most of the supporters don’t realise the job you have to do without the ball.

“Where you stand on the pitch, the way you cover people, the way you make fouls, how you help others.

“He understands the game very well.

“Maybe he doesn’t have too many admirers in Brighton but I can tell everyone he is a very important player here and he is helping others have more freedom because of his positioning.

“I’d say he is one of our top five players who understand the full game better than the rest.”

Millwall head south with a new star striker after Shaun Batt celebrated his move from Peterborough by scoring on his debut in Tuesday’s 2-0 win over Southend.

The Lions are up to sixth in the League One standings and Poyet will be keen for his side to turn it on without needing the kick start of going a goal down, as they did in Tuesday’s draw at Stockport.

He admitted: “We are a different team when we are chasing the game.

“I know it is difficult because you go in to play your game and you cannot play like you’re losing from the beginning.

“But every time we are in a bad situation we give it that extra little bit.”