ALBION are prepared for January interest in their bright under-23 prospects.

But development boss Simon Rusk has told his players to forget about potential loan moves for now.

The young Seagulls were watched by a host of scouts as they won 3-2 at MK Dons in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday.

They are going very well in the top-tier of the under-23s Premier League and recently beat Benfica B in the International Cup.

Fifteen-goal Aaron Connolly is likely to top the hit list.

He has scored five times in three Trophy matches against League One and Two opponents.

Rusk knows league clubs will want him for the second half of the season and told The Argus: “I think that is only natural with the under-23s league.

“We are in the top division now.

“People are going to have a look at him, people are looking at our games so there is an element of interest.

“But it’s a long way until January yet. What I would say to the players is one game at a time, one day at a time, one week at a time.

“You can assess those things as, when and if they do crop up.”

Connolly, Viktor Gyokeres and Ben White travelled with the first team to Cardiff last Saturday with Gyokeres named among the subs.

The under-23s open their defence of the Parafix Sussex Senior Cup by visiting Lewes next Wednesday.