Young Albion defender Tom Dallison is relishing a second chance to make a big impression in the Football League.

The 20-year-old centre-back has signed on loan for Cambridge United until January 8.

He links up with the League Two outfit ahead of their friendly at Newmarket Town tonight.

Dallison signed for Crawley last season but the loan was curtailed after he fractured his toe in an impressive debut against Plymouth.

He returned to the Checkatrade Stadium on Saturday to play 45 minutes in Albion’s 4-0 friendly win.

The former Arsenal scholar has now been pulled out of the trip to Aldershot tonight.

Dallison played in the youth ranks at Arsenal before joining the Seagulls almost three years ago.

He has had non-league loan stints at Braintree and Dartford.

His switch to Cambridge confirms summer signing Ben Hall as the under-21 centre-back most likely to break into Albion’s senior squad pending the arrival of a replacement for Gordon Greer and Uwe Huenemeier’s recovery from long-term injury.

Cambridge boss Shaun Derry revealed there was competition for Dallison’s services.

He said: “Tom brings to us a genuine left-footed option at centre back, something that we were looking to add to our squad. “With several clubs vying for his signature, we’re pleased that both he and Brighton think that Cambridge United is the perfect place for him to develop during the next six months.”

Dallison added: “There are some very experienced players in the defence already, like Leon Legge, and they will be good people to be around during this loan. I’m sure I can learn plenty from them.

“The pre-season games give me a chance to get match fit and show everyone what I’m all about so that hopefully by the time the season games around I can be in with a shout of making the team.”

Cambridge’s pre-season programmme includes friendlies against Championship clubs Ipswich and Aston Villa.