Whitehawk manager Jude Macdonald has praised the attitude of Albion loanee Kacper Lopata.

The 18-year-old joined the Hawks on loan in August and has been key in what is proving to be a very promising start to the season for the club.

The centre-back made an early impression at Whitehawk after he scored on his debut against VCD Athletic in a 3-2 win.

Lopata has also scored on another four occasions this season, which has helped the Hawks move up to third place in the BetVictor Isthmian South East.

Two of those goals came in their FA Trophy defeat against Hastings United.

It is not just for Whitehawk that Lopata has been finding the back of the net.

He also scored for Albion U23s in their 3-2 win in the Sussex Senior Cup second round against none other than Hastings.

Lopata’s form for Whitehawk saw him awarded their player of the month for November.

Macdonald is full of praise for the way teenager Lopata has fitted in at the non-league side.

He said: “He has been brilliant and has settled in well since he came in.

“Kacper only turned 18 at the end of August, but you wouldn’t think he is that age because he plays like a 25-year-old.

“He still has things he needs to work on, but he has been brilliant for us.

“What has been a real positive is his attitude because although he is from a Premier League club he doesn’t act like he is.

“Kacper carries himself very well and plays as if Whitehawk is his only club, which is credit to both himself and Brighton.”

Boss Macdonald will not make rash predictions on how far Lopata can go.

He said: “It is difficult to say at the age of 18.

“It really depends on him and whether he wants to put the work in to be able to take himself to the next level.

“If he does that there is no reason why he cannot play at a much higher level in the future.

“However, it is up Kacper. If he decides to put his feet up for the rest of the season then it will not happen.”

Hawks’ game against Whyteleafe on Tuesday night was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at the TerraPura Ground.

Tomorrow they travel to Sittingbourne looking to make it seven wins on the spin in the league and knowing that another three points could see them move into second place in the table.