David Button is on course again to fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League.

Albion's back-up goalkeeper will be vying with Jason Steele to deputise for Mathew Ryan when the Australian No.1 is away in January with his country in the Asia Cup in Abu Dhabi.

Button, signed in the summer from Fulham, has represented 17 clubs but the 29-year-old has never played in the Premier League.

He returned to action in the under-23s' 1-0 defeat by Leicester at the Lancing training complex on Monday night after knee surgery sidelined him for five weeks.

"It was actually in the warm-up for the Newcastle game," Button revealed.

"It was in the shooting. I just saved a shot with my foot.

"I knew I had done something but I wasn't expecting it to be anything serious.

"I had a little tear in the meniscus (cartilage) in my knee.

"So I had a small operation and it's nice to be back now.

"It was about a week until I had my operation and then four weeks recovery.

"I'm feeling good now. It was nice to be back out there. Obviously a shame about the result.

"I enjoyed my first experience with the '23s."

Button had little to do apart from a couple of routine saves.

The Argus: He is playing catch-up, fellow summer signing Steele (above) having understudied Ryan during his absence.

The replacements for Tim Krul and Niki Maenpaa, who are in the Championship with leaders Norwich and mid-table Bristol City respectively, have some big fixtures to look forward to.

"It's going to be a great opportunity for who ever gets the nod," Button said. "I can't wait for it to happen.

"I've just come back to training and I needed to play a game before I could be involved with the first team.

"We'll see what happens. Hopefully that will come in time.

"West Ham away, Liverpool home and Man U away. I have looked! And then Fulham.

"But I'm not getting too far ahead of myself. If the opportunity comes my way I'll be ready.

"It's part of the reason I joined the club. I'm sure it's every players' dream to play in the Premier League.

"It's probably the biggest league in the world, so to get that chance would be great."

Ryan (below) will be a hard act to follow. He has established himself as one of the safest pair of hands in the top flight in an ever-present sequence since arriving from Valencia two summers ago.

The Argus: "I've always been a big fan of him," Button said. "Seeing him up close and how he works every day has been really good for me.

"I've got nothing but respect for him and how he's done. Hopefully in training he sees we are pushing each other, Jason as well. We've got a good little group going."

Button began his career at home town club Stevenage. He spent nine years at Spurs without making a league appearance, moving to 11 clubs on loan in a nationwide tour which included Grays, Plymouth, Shrewsbury, Crewe and Doncaster.

He worked under Albion goalkeeping coach Ben Roberts at Charlton and also had a spell at Brentford.

Button's only first team appearance in the last 11 months came in the Seagulls' 1-0 exit from the Carabao Cup against Southampton back in August.

Ryan will remain between the posts for the rest of 2018 against Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton at the Amex, Bournemouth away as well, before crunch time comes for Button or Steele.

"We've got a good group of keepers who enjoy working every day," Button said. "The lads are great and my family are really settled as well, so everything is going well.

"It's been a good start and I am sure with the mentality in the squad they will be able to keep that up."