Graham Potter has hinted Levi Colwill could be handed his first start for Brighton & Hove Albion as they take on Forest Green Rovers in the Carabao Cup second round this evening. The Seagulls are away to the League One club and could rest some of their senior players, paving the way, theoretically, for Colwill to start.
The 19-year-old central defender moved on a season-long loan to Brighton earlier in the month, with Marc Cucurella going the other way for north of £60million. football.london understands there is no option for the Seagulls to purchase the teenager once his loan deal expires next summer.
This season is crucial for Colwill to gain valuable experience playing at the top level, and a run in the Carabao Cup for Brighton could provide him with multiple opportunities. Speaking ahead of Brighton's trip down to Gloucestershire to take on Forest Green, Potter was asked about the on-loan Chelsea defender.
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"He is fitting in really well, I am really happy with him," Potter said regarding Colwill. "A very impressive young man, very mature for his age.
"He's respectful, he understands the situation that he is in, in terms of he has come in a little bit late in pre-season, the team is doing well. So he is looking to support the players and the team.
"He is training well, is getting up to speed on what we are trying to do, and he is doing really well. We are delighted with him. He will be in the squad tomorrow [today], and there's a good chance he will be on the pitch."
Colwill spent last season on loan in the Championship with Huddersfield Town and impressed massively while doing so. His ability to be an old-school defender while also being able to play out from the back in a calm and composed manner is what gives him enormous potential.
Speaking when Brighton secured a deal to sign the Chelsea defender on a temporary basis, Potter waxed lyrical about the Cobham graduate. He said: "I am really looking forward to working with him on the training pitch and in matches over the course of the season.
"He plays mostly at centre-back but has also played on the left as a full-back. He is a player who is comfortable on the ball."
So far, though, Brighton's superb start to the season has restricted the number of minutes Colwill has played. A solid performance against Forest Green in the Carabao Cup, however, could persuade Potter to give him a chance in the Premier League at the weekend when the Seagulls take on Leeds United.
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