Graham Potter has urged “top lad” Alireza Jahanbakhsh to be patient as he awaits his first Albion chance of the season.

And he has revealed why he sees the Iran star as a potential wing-back.

Jahanbakhsh, pictured, is hoping to break into the matchday 18 when Southampton visit the Amex tomorrow.

PSV are keen to take him back to the Dutch league, where he excelled before moving to the Seagulls ahead of last season.

The Eindhoven outfit would love to pull off a loan deal although The Argus understands no talks are taking place.

The Argus revealed yesterday Albion are eyeing a new role for Jahanbakhsh, who has yet to make a big impact as a forward or winger.

Head coach Potter said: “Unfortunately we can only pick 11 and we have a squad of 25 so most are disappointed.

“That’s the challenge for the guys. They have to wait for the opportunity and for the coach to be clever enough to see you can play.”

Potter said he does not anticipate any outgoing business before transfer windows close around Europe early next month.

He believes Jahanbakhsh has been unlucky not to make starting XIs against Watford and West Ham and that his specific skills then make it hard to fit him on the bench.

But he added: “For me, he’s a top lad who trains really well, plays really well and needs to be patient to wait for his opportunity, which I’m sure will come.”

Asked why he sees Jahanbakhsh potentially in a wing-back role, Potter told The Argus: “He’s a bit like Solly (March), in terms of he’s a wide man who works hard for the team and can go back and cover that ground.

“I think you’d have to be careful on the other side what the make-up of that wing-back would be because obviously Ali is more of an offensive one.

“But it would be similar to Solly and Martin (Montoya) with the balance.

“He brings width, works hard for the team. We’d need to help him of course but, yes, there’s a possibility he can play that role and he can still play higher, of course.”

Jahanbakhsh has yet to find a niche in one of the berths supporting centre-forward Glenn Murray in a 3-4-3 set-up.

Pascal Gross has started both matches in that area with Jurgen Locadia and Leandro Trossard getting one game apiece.

Potter said: “Sometimes if you look at how we set up the two wide guys have been more connecting the game, dropping in as an extra midfield player – and that probably isn’t what Ali’s strengths are.

“Ali’s more running towards goal, giving width, providing those kind of dynamic solutions.

“So sometimes tactically he just has to be patient, and that’s where we’ve been working with him as a wing-back.

“There will be some games where he will be able to play high and running in behind people.

“His approach to training and working with the group has been absolutely fantastic.

“The key for me is when he gets his opportunity that he’s playing to his strengths.

“There’s no point playing in a position that doesn’t get the most out of him because then there’s another spiral of negativity, which is unnecessary.”