ALBION No.1 Mathew Ryan is walking tall among Premier League goalkeepers, because of his consistency.

Only Burnley's Joe Hart and West Ham's Lukasz Fabianski have made more saves than the 6ft 1ins Australian following his third clean sheet in succession against Wolves at the Amex.

Ryan has delighted boss Chris Hughton with his dependable form since signing from Valencia after the Seagulls were promoted.

The shut-out against Wolves was his 13th in 48 unbroken Premier League appearances.

An inspired second half display raised his season's tally to 43 saves, one behind Hart and Fabianski.

Hughton told The Argus: "What you want is a level of consistency. When you are a goalkeeper at Brighton you are going to be tested.

"The top six can have goalkeepers in games that are not going to get tested so much.

"We are always a going to under pressure, so you need a keeper that is consistent, calm, works very hard.

"He's a different type goalkeeper, not a classic six-foot four, six-foot five goalkeeper, but he's been great for us.

"He will make mistakes and have a difficult period, the same as every other goalkeeper, but we have been delighted with his consistency."

Ryan will be trying to stretch his sequence of 295 minutes without conceding in the battle of the shortest Premier League keepers against Everton's England No.1 Jordan Pickford at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Albion's keeper saved a late Wayne Rooney penalty in the 2-0 defeat in last season's corresponding fixture.

Ryan's regular understudy David Button was sidelined for the visit of Wolves, so fellow summer signing Jason Steele took over on the bench.

Hughton, explaining Button's absence, said: "He has a slight injury but he'll be fine. Jason Steele has trained really well and played a few games at under-23 level so we're okay."

Button or Steele will deputise for Ryan in the New Year when he is away with Australia for the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.