Albion's new striker Billy Paynter has told his critics: ‘Forget the stats, I’ll score goals.’ The Seagulls have completed the loan signing of the 27-year-old from Championship rivals Leeds until January 2, after failing to agree a fee to buy the Liverpudlian in August.

Paynter plundered 29 goals in 50 games for Swindon two seasons ago to help them reach the League One play-off final.

The robust marksman has netted only once in 24 outings since moving to Leeds 16 months ago but Paynter insists those statistics are misleading.

He told The Argus: “In my first pre-season with Leeds I had a stress fracture of the shin, which was a massive setback. I was out for a few months and then I had a few chances here and there.

“The manager (Simon Grayson) was trying to get me back involved with two minutes here and five or ten minutes there. That all goes down on your stats and it doesn’t give a true reflection.

“There was a game where I got on for a minute, so I wasn’t going to set the world alight, and games where I got on when we were 3-0 down. You have to be professional. I’m not going to refuse to go on because I don’t want to ruin my stats.

“That is only for the statto people. I know I can score goals and I’m looking forward to doing it for Brighton. I’m a team player and I’ll hold the ball and try to link my team-mates in.”

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