ALBION striker Evan Ferguson has praised the impact of training with the first team as it has helped him develop his game.

The 17-year-old was promoted into the first-team this season after his impressive form for the Albion youth squads.

This has meant that Ferguson has been going up against Lewis Dunk, Adam Webster and countryman Shane Duffy in training, rather than players in his age bracket.

The striker believes that this has helped him improve his ability as he has had to learn how to beat players with plenty of first-team experience.

The Argus: Brighton striker Evan Ferguson in action against BurnleyBrighton striker Evan Ferguson in action against Burnley

Ferguson told The Argus: "There is definitely a big difference, physically and mentally because they have played a lot of games at the highest level, so they know and they can guess when the ball comes into you where the next pass will go.

"So they are almost be cutting the second pass out before the ball even gets to you. You always have to be thinking of what your next move will be and you got to know what you have to be.

"If you have a bad first touch or to many touches, they are just going to take the ball off you."

"The strikers give you tips, but so do the defenders.

"So say if I have done something that is good they would tell me that it is hard to mark, which is good to hear. They look after me."

Ferguson made his first-team debut for the club this season in the Carabao Cup as he came on as a 81st minute substitute in the 2-0 win over Cardiff City.

The highly-rated striker also made his debuts in the FA Cup and Premier League.