Mathew Ryan has set Albion a target of at least 44 points and more clean sheets.

The Australian keeper bound for the Asian Cup believes there is room for improvement in the second half of the season, especially defensively.

Albion stayed in the Premier League last season with 40 points and ten clean sheets.

They have 22 points this time at the midway stage following the Boxing Day deadlock with Arsenal, but only three shut-outs.

Ryan said: "That is a minimum, 22 more points, and a bit more. There have been games where if we were that bit more clinical at both ends, a litle bit tighter at the back.

"I think we'll definitely be looking to improve on the clean sheets. We have been a team that has based ourselves on that since I arrived and long before that.

"It's a little bit disappointing to only be boasting three clean sheets. Especially of late I just feel we have been giving up the goals a little too easily for this level of football.

"It's hard to put a finger on it but teams are creating chances too easily. It hasn't been sitting well with any of us. Hopefully we can tighten that to begin with.

"I always say if you don't concede a goal in a game then worst case scenario you draw zero-zero.

"We seem to be creating a a lot more and scoring a lot more this season than last year. If we can tighten up the defence then I am sure we are going to go ahead and win many more games."

The Argus: David Button (above) or Jason Steele (below) will be trying to help Albion add to their points and clean sheet totals against Everton at the Amex tomorrow.

The Argus: Ryan has teamed up with Australia for their bid to retain the Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates.

Graham Arnold's Socceroos have a warm-up against Oman in Dubai on Sunday.

They face group games against Jordan in Abu Dhabi on January 6, Palestine in Dubai on January 11 and Syria in Qatar on January 15.

The last 16 games are staged from January 20 to 22, the quarter-finals from January 24 to 25, the semi-finals January 28 to 29 and the final on February 1.

Ryan will definitely miss the next three Premier League fixtures against Everton, West Ham and Liverpool.

He could also be unavailable against Manchester United, Fulham and Watford, together with the FA Cup third round at Bournemouth and potential fourth round - although he would have been rested from those anyway.

Ryan, his unbroken run of 57 Premier League appearances ended, said: "It is what it is. It's out of my control, unfortunately. In the perfect world I wouldn't be missing any games.

"To be representing my national team and Brighton in the Premier League, I am so fortunate to be doing that.

"I just try to go out there and do my best. On the one hand I'd love to be contributing to Brighton in the next couple of games, but this tournament falls when it does and at the same time it created one of the best memories of my life until now by winning the previous one with Australia.

"So I'm going to be out there trying to replicate the exact same feeling from that time before.

"I am looking forward to going there, then coming back here with the trophy, then contributing to Brighton's success of staying up again and cementing ourselves in the Premier League for a third season."