Guy Butters believes Joel Lynch has a bright future with Albion following the rookie defender's eyecatching debut at Southampton.

The Seagulls' old stager helped nurse Lynch through his senior bow at leftback in Monday's 2-1 defeat at St Mary's.

And centre half Butters, 36, was impressed by what he saw.

"Joel was tremendous at Southampton," said the former Portsmouth and Gillingham stopper. "He didn't look out of place.

"He's strong in the tackle and good in the air. He was up against a tricky winger (Nathan Dyer) and I thought he did absolutely brilliantly against him.

"He played balls over the top as he was told to do before the game. Everything that was asked of him he did.

"I was pleased for him and young Gatts (Joe Gatting), who got on to make his debut as well.

"The more lads that are coming through the youth system the better. It just goes to prove what a good youth system we've got."

Butters was already aware of Lynch's potential before his surprise call-up to Mark McGhee's depleted side for the south coast derby.

"I played a pre-season game with him at Bognor. I only played 45 minutes but even then you could tell he's good on the ball, he's got a good left foot and he's big and strong.

"He is still filling out but he looks a great prospect for the future. It's good that you can rely on these young lads once they get into the team.

"He has got to go on now. There's no point thinking 'I've made it' after playing one game.

"He's got to keep improving, listening and learning. The older players were trying to give him advice during the game and help him out but he didn't need too much coaching."

The large Albion following swelled the St Mary's crowd to over 24,000, quite a contrast to Lynch's previous appearance at an empty Kenilworth Road in a Reserve team friendly against Luton behind-closed-doors before Christmas.

"I was told on Sunday that I was travelling, then the gaffer told us the team on Monday morning," Lynch revealed.

"I was more nervous before I found out I was in the team. I was getting lots of hints and people were speculating.

"Once I got to the ground I felt fine. Seeing all the Brighton fans made me feel better.

"I was told to do the simple things and that's what I tried to do. I was very happy with my performance and I couldn't have made my debut at a better ground than St Mary's with so many fans.

"I was playing against some quality players. Dyer is probably the quickest player I've ever played against."

Lynch an unused substitute in last season's home game against Sheffield United, returned to action in December after six months out with a partial cruciate knee ligament tear while on work experience with Bognor.

His strapping build suggests his long-term future could be at centre half.

"At Bognor I've been playing centre half and in the youth team they play me where ever," he said.

"When I signed for Brighton I was a centre half but I have learned to adapt and I think I've become more confident playing at leftback. I've played there quite a lot for the Reserves."

Lynch and striker Gatting, who came on in stoppage time at St Mary's, will both be in the team bidding to upset Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup at Withdean a week on Tuesday.