Tomasz Kuszczak has been hailed as “different class” by showing his powers of recovery between the posts for Albion.

The Polish keeper made the first big blunder of his career with the Seagulls last month when Nikola Zigic’s stoppage time header slipped through his hands to gift Birmingham an equaliser.

Kuszczak has responded with a series of influential displays in shut-out victories against Hull, Cardiff and Burnley after boss Gus Poyet saw off competition to snap him up from Manchester United as his first signing of last summer.

Poyet said: “It was a surprise and when we had the chance we got him. You don’t have too many chances sometimes to sign this sort of player so it was very important.

“I would like him to make a mistake in the first game of the season next year, because he has been different class after.”

Kuszczak has the chance to complete a hat-trick of clean sheets against the only Championship side he has not faced at The Amex on Saturday.

He missed Albion's 2-1 victory at visitors Huddersfield in November with a finger injury sustained on international duty.