ALBION boss Chris Hughton says Jurgen Locadia is going nowhere in January after his equaliser against Arsenal.

The Dutch striker scored his first Premier League goal for ten months in the 1-1 draw against the Gunners at the Amex.

Reports in his homeland in November suggested Locadia, frustrated by a lack of opportunities, wanted to leave when the transfer window reopens.

Hughton told The Argus: “That was never in our thoughts. Jurgen really wants to do well.

“He is a really good lad as well and I would have every confidence that what he said was taken out of context.

“If he did speak about not being happy because he’s not playing then that’s normal.

“He wants to play, all of that I understand. Anything Jurgen said he would have said in the right way, that I’m quite sure about.

“But at this moment I’m pleased for him. He has persevered and given us some really good options and thoughts now.”

Locadia’s goal was his first since scoring on his Premier League debut at home to Swansea in February and his third overall in nine starts and 13 substitute appearances since a £14 million move from PSV Eindhoven in January.

Hughton said: “Probably at this moment it’s not such a big outlay, the way things are changing.

“Obviously there is more to come because he hasn’t really had a run or a series of games.

“But that’s what being a forward player is about, particularly when you’ve got a lot of games.

“You’ve got Florin (Andone) as well, who has been very much in and out, hasn’t started as many games as he would like, but you need them all, that type of competition.

“Generally they all at some stage get opportunities.

“He (Locadia) will certainly be feeling better than he did a few weeks or a month ago.

“That gives us good scope. He is one part of probably three number nines, even though Jurgen is probably more adaptable than Glenn (Murray) or Florin.

“When somebody comes in you want them to deliver, either with performance or end product, and I thought he gave us both.”