Graham Potter believes Aaron Connolly is learning some harsh realities about Premier League life.

He says the Irish striker, who could start against Everton on Saturday, has learnt about the need to play a team role and fight hard every day for his place.

But he wants to help the 21-year-old make continued progress in those areas.

Connolly missed a great chance to open his account for the season when Albion beat Watford on Saturday.

But Potter sees plenty to work with after restoring him to the squad having left him out at Burnley.

The Seagulls boss said: “If you look at how old he is and the amount of Premier League games he’s played and goals he’s scored, if you offered that to a lot of footballers of his age, especially as a forward because in the Premier League as a forward it’s so difficult to get the opportunity to play matches, I think most would say, ‘I’ll take a bit of that’.

“It’s about how you measure things. Yes, he burst on to the scene and scored two goals in his first game.

“That can be good and that can be bad, because the reality of it is it’s not that simple.

“It’s about dealing with that as well, the struggle of the failure in the Premier League.

“Forwards don’t score every week. Jamie Vardy will go 12 matches without scoring.

“These players, the defenders are so strong, scoring goals is the hardest bit.

“Perspective is an important thing for him and dealing with the fight which is establishing yourself and being ready to play week in and week out in the best league in the world.

“You don’t get there by talent. You get there by fighting every day, looking to improve every day and playing a role for the team. I think he’s learning to do that.

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“That’s again part of his development as a young man and a young player and we’ll help him with that.”

Potter was asked about Connolly by a national newspaper reporter in what appeared an understandable belief he might play at Cardiff on Tuesday.

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However the Seagulls boss later said he would probably rest his striker with the Everton game in mind - and that duly happened.

Connolly is now favourite to lead the attack against the Toffees.