Graham Potter believes ex-Albion midfielder Jesse Lingard is right up there with the best loan signings of the season.

The 28-year-old joined West Ham at the end of January and has made quite the impact at the London Stadium.

In his 13 appearances for the Hammers, he has scored nine goals and got four assists.

But it is not the first time Lingard has caught the impressed during a loan spell as he did exactly the same during his time on the South Coast.

He spent a season on loan with the Seagulls during the 2013/14 season, early on in his career as a 21-year-old.

In his 15 appearances for Albion, he scored three goals and got four assists, and helped them to reach the play-offs.

Lingard then scored in the first leg of the play-offs against Derby at Pride Park, but the Seagulls lost out on the chance of going to Wembley after losing both legs to the Rams.

But Potter has been impressed by how influential he has been for West Ham in the second half of the season.

He said: “Yes (best loan signing of the season), he must be up there, mustn't he.

“He has had a tremendous impact and it is good for him, it just goes to show it is not how you handle the good times, it is how you handle the bad times.

“Jesse has had a frustrating period of his career but is now enjoying playing and helping his team.

“It is another example of what it is to be a top professional and deal with setbacks and when the opportunity is there you are ready to play so credit to him for that.”