Bruno has called for a united Albion to dispel any relegation concerns – after turning down the chance of a move Stateside.

The club captain sensed some nerves coming from the stands at the Amex and knows there might be some among players too.

But the 37-year-old right-back has spelled out how everyone can play a part in preserving Premier League status as he eyes a second top-flight season with the Seagulls.

Bruno has been on the bench for most of 2018 and that is likely to be the case at Selhurst Park as Albion take on Crystal Palace.

But he did what he could in the 1-1 draw at home to Huddersfield and says all Albion players and fans have a part to play.

Bruno recently signed a new one-year deal taking him through to the summer of 2019 at the Amex.

He had an offer from the USA which, in other circumstances, might have been of interest.

But the over-riding aim was to stay with Albion and keep his family in Hove, where they are very settled.

He told The Argus: “Of course for me and my family it was a dream to continue in this city and with this club.

“Now I am concentrating on us securing this safety in the Premier League, which will be difficult.

“In January I had a few offers but I was just thinking about staying here.

“I think people knew that my first idea was to stay.

“The one thing I could have gone to was in the United States.

“I had something from the US but I’m very concentrated on here.

“I wouldn’t swap Brighton for somewhere else.”

Bruno arrived at Albion almost six years ago under the management of Gus Poyet on a two-year deal.

His latest contract is the fifth one-year agreement of his time at the Amex.

Some have come sooner rather than later. He agreed terms before Christmas back in 2014-15 for the following season.

But this is the first time he has approached the end of a contract while not the first-choice in his position.

Although he is out of the side, he said: “I never had any doubts because there are periods in a season.

“What I have to do is be ready to play at any moment.

“And, if that moment comes, I’ll be up to the right level.”

And chances are they will come – when least expected.

He was thrilled to be in the thick of it for the closing stages of the momentous win over Arsenal.

But he might also have to contribute in other ways.

Against Huddersfield, he went out to warm-up a couple of times in the second half.

You’ve got to keep the limbs loose, just in case.

But those extended forays along the West Stand touchline were a great chance to shout advice and encouragement to players and, on one occasion, get the fans going.

He said: “I was trying to get fans right behind the players, driving them on.

“I think that’s important.

“And also lending a hand to my team-mates.”

Asked if the players could sense any worry coming from the stands, he said: “Worry? No, but obviously there will be a bit of nervousness “We have to ask the fans to always be right with us.

“We want away teams, when they come here, to feel uncomfortable.

“They do that but, at this time of the season, we ask for extra.

“We try to give that ourselves as players and the fans can as well with the role they have to play.”

Bruno and Lewis Dunk are two survivors of Albion’s last visit to Selhurst Park in the league – at least in the away changing room.

It was a torrid afternoon. Dunk was sent off inside ten minutes and Bruno was given a tough time by Yannick Bolasie.

Another survivor will be alongside them – Glenn Murray, scorer of two goals that day for the home side before handing over a penalty to Owen Garvan.

It’s all experience and can be important on these big occasions.

Asked what he can do for the survival bid if he is not playing, Bruno said: “I try to always be with my colleagues and give my team-mates confidence.

“We can bring some experience. There are players here who have been in this sport and we know how difficult these situations can be.

“The most important thing is to have a cool head and be calm.

“I see us in a good position. It’s a shame what happened with those two games at home (Leicester and Huddersfield) because we could have given ourselves a cushion of points which would help us a lot going into the rest of the season.

“But that has already gone.

“We have to be positive now and get the three points at Crystal Palace.”