Will Hoskins has revealed how Albion boss Gus Poyet gave him a massive confidence boost before he had even signed him.

The former Watford man has joined the Seagulls on a two-year deal after an impressive season at relegated Bristol Rovers.

Hoskins would have signed for the Seagulls on loan, with a view to buy, in March had Rovers been able to secure the services of Rory Fallon as a replacement.

Now Hoskins has told The Argus how Gus Poyet’s mid-season interest put a massive spring in his step, despite the prospect of relegation.

Hoskins said: “I just kept going because I knew anything could happen between then and the summer and I wanted to try to keep Rovers in the division.

“But it makes you more confident than ever because you know that a team at the top of the league like Brighton are looking at you.

“I left Watford on a free and it’s not nice being unwanted like that. It was great to know Brighton wanted me.”

Hoskins was unaware of Poyet’s interest in bringing him south on a permanent deal last summer.

He admitted he would have left in March, despite being happy at Rovers, and added: “The decision was out of my hands.

“But how can you turn down a team who are top of the league and playing the football they were playing? It’s a no-brainer.

“You have your personal goals and I could see I could turn a relegation fight into promotion.

“We kept going at Rovers but it seemed whatever could go wrong did go wrong.”