Jayson Molumby would rather take flight with the Seagulls than be fed to the Lions again.
The new Republic of Ireland midfielder excelled during a loan spell with Championship side Millwall last season.
And although they wanted to sign him on another season-long deal, parent club Brighton stepped in and told Molumby to fight for his place in the Premier League.
Domestic transfers in the UK can still take place until October 16, but Molumby wants to meet Brighton boss Graham Potter’s challenge head on.
The Waterford lad, 21, has been with the Seagulls for three years.
And this season he has started a League Cup win over Portsmouth and the next round defeat to Manchester United.
Captain of Stephen Kenny’s Ireland Under-21s, Molumby made his senior international debut under the new boss with a start in last month’s home defeat to Finland.
But he does not accept that he could be risking his immediate Ireland career by playing a peripheral role at Brighton.
Molumby said: “The gaffer (Potter) has been really good to me and it’s about being patient to go from playing every week to now being on the fringes.
“The gaffer is really keen on me and has shown me that there’s a pathway for me.
“It’s every young lads’ dream to play in the Premier League and that must be the aim. I feel I’m good enough and I’d like to try and push into the team.”
Molumby continued: “We’ve had a few chats and he explained what he needs from me.
“He does his best to get the best from young players and I feel like I could really develop with him.
“It’s a new way of playing and a lot different to the way we played at Millwall. The Brighton manager has a very unique style and I want to show that I can play.”
That sentiment is extended to the international scene where Molumby is looking to double his cap haul in tomorrow’s big playoff with Slovakia.
James McCarthy, Jeff Hendrick and Conor Hourihane are likely to be reinstated as Ireland’s midfield three having sat out the Finland game - but Molumby is in the mix.
His energy against the Finns did not go unnoticed, even if he suspects that the role of a box-to-box midfielder may be numbered in the modern game.
Molumby jokes that he likes to bring a bit of chaos to the middle of the park, but it’s deliberate and well organised.
“Work-rate - the basics of being a good pro - is probably overlooked now whereas technical ability is probably top of the list,” he said.
“Other attributes are lower down the list, so if you can have a mix of both you’re in a good place. I can offer that and hopefully people will see that in the coming years.
“It’s probably just pride and giving everything for my country. I’ve so much energy, even when you’re struggling you find a way to get through.
“That’s how hungry I was with the Under-21s. It means everything to play for my country and it’s something you couldn’t even dream about when you’re younger.
“Stephen has put his trust in me especially playing the last game and obviously getting called up again is massive.
“I want to have a really good career with Ireland and hopefully go on to play a lot of games.”
