Aaron Hughes insists he is relishing a fresh start with Albion – despite a battle for his first team place.

The Northern Ireland defender started yesterday’s opening Euro 2016 qualifiers as his nation shocked Hungary with a 2-1 win in Budapest.

By contrast Hughes has played second fiddle to re-emerging Lewis Dunk in the Seagulls’ recent wins.

But he is upbeat about life at the Amex.

He said: “Any time you join a new club it feels like a fresh start but I’ve settled in pretty quickly and it’s a fantastic set-up at Brighton, a fantastic club. So far, so good.

“It’s early days but I’m enjoying it so far.”

Albion return to work tomorrow and face away games at Brentford and Ipswich as they resume their Championship campaign.

Hughes says it is too early to predict which teams will emerge as promotion candidates, But he has stressed the importance of Albion building on a run of seven points from the last three games.

He said: “The league is very competitive and this year there are so many teams with a chance.

“It’s going to be a long tough season and you can never predict it.

“Momentum is everything in this division because a string of results can really make a difference.”

Joao Teixeira has been working with the Seagulls despite initial suggestions he would be called up by Portugal under-21s.

Albion skipper Gordon Greer was an unused substitute last night as Scotland lost 2-1 to world champions Germany in their Euro 2016 qualifying opener.