Loan expert David Stockdale has tipped Christian Walton to become Albion’s No.1 for many years and expects the youngster to benefit from a spell away from the club.

Walton is poised to join Bury, paving the way for new signing Niki Maenpaa to compete with Stockdale for the gloves.

Stockdale, 29, says the loan move will aid the development of the England under-20s keeper after his handful of senior appearances for Albion last season.

He told The Argus: “There’s nothing better than getting experience. You don’t realise until you’re older how valuable that will be.

“It’s tough to throw goalkeepers in so early to a high level. It’s just different things really, the pace of the game, things like that, so it’s a sensible option and I’ve got no doubt he will be in the Brighton goal for a long time to come.”

The deal to take Walton to the League One new boys was last night close to completion.

Stockdale’s 11-club career has included loan stints at Wakefield-Emley and Worksop Town when he was starting out, then Rotherham, Leicester, Plymouth, Ipswich and Hull.

He said: “For me football is about playing, not sitting on a bench. It was very much something I always looked to do when I wasn’t playing.

"It keeps your mind on the game and in the right place and when you are needed by your club then you are always on form.”

Stockdale is likely to return after illness as the Seagulls continue their pre-season programme at Lewes today.