Evan Ferguson needs to keep working hard to return to his best says Brighton boss

The Republic of Ireland made his first start for the club since March in their Carabao Cup win against Wolves on Wednesday. 

ON THE WAY BACK: Brighton and Hove Albion's Evan Ferguson celebrates. Pic: Steven Paston/PA Wire.

Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler admits it is going to take time before the Republic of Ireland fans see Evan Ferguson return to his very best.

The Bettystown native made his first start for the Seagulls since March in their 3-2 win against Wolves in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old, who turns 20 in exactly one month, showed some promising signs with his performance before he was replaced by Danny Welbeck in the 63rd minute.

And speaking to the club's website shortly after full-time, Hurzeler insisted Ferguson just needs to keep working hard in order to return to the form that famously saw him score a hat-trick against Newcastle United just over a year ago.

"I think we saw in some situations how good he can be," said the Brighton boss.

"He had some shots in the first half, he worked hard against the ball. He can't be on the level already that he wants to and like he was before in the Premier League in the prime of his individual performance.

"We will try to get him there, he needs to train at 100 per cent and he needs to use every training sessions to get as fit as possible and then I'm sure that he will help us.”