BERAM Kayal has been praised for his never-say-die attitude ahead of his first Premier League start of the season for Albion.

The Israeli midfielder deputises for Dale Stephens (hamstring) against champions Manchester City at the Etihad tomorrow.

Kayal's chances have been limited since the Seagulls were promoted due to the arrivals of Davy Propper last summer and Yves Bissouma this summer.

The 30-year-old, signed from Celtic in January 2014, has made only eight Premier League starts.

Manager Chris Hughton told The Argus: "Credit to him. Whenever that has been the case (left out) he's battled through and ended up playing some games.

"In his period of time he's also had a couple of big injuries that's he's battled back from as well.

"He is somebody that has the right attitude to challenge. He's not the type of individual that will think I'm not going to be playing so I'm not going to put too much in. He is always pushing to play.

"There have been times when he has understood he has been out for a while and it's going to take a while. Certainly last season, the form of the two players in front of him (Stephens and Propper), he's realistic enough to know it was going to be harder but he is always training well and always pushing to get into the team."

Kayal is out of contract at the end of the season, along with Glenn Murray, Bruno and Gaetan Bong.

Hughton said: "I don't think that would be the biggest motivation, I think the biggest motivation would be to get in the team.

"He has been at this club a long time now. I thought he was good when he came on (against Spurs), certainly one of our best players."

Kayal replaced Stephens midway through the first half of the 2-1 defeat by Tottenham at the Amex.

Albion are hoping to have Stephens and Pascal Gross (ankle) available for the next home game against West Ham next Friday.