PUBLISHED
17:55 27th February 2014
by Paul Camillin
Getting to the play-offs has to be my main aim while I am here"
Jesse Lingard
Jesse Lingard says he is ready to be thrown to the Lions at the Den this weekend, and would relish the opportunity of his Brighton & Hove Albion debut against Millwall on Saturday.Jesse Lingard
“I’m fit and ready to go. I played an under-21 game for Manchester United on Monday. I will be training Thursday and Friday and I hope to be in contention for Saturday’s trip to Millwall.
“I met Oscar Garcia on Wednesday evening when I signed the paperwork at the stadium, and he spoke to me about my role with the team and his expectations.
“Obviously my main aim is to play at Manchester United, but in the short term I am pleased to be here at Brighton and see this as a big stepping stone in my career. If I can help the team get promoted via the play offs, that will be massive.
“I would love to have the chance to come back here for another loan period in the Premier League. Getting to the play-offs has to be my main aim while I am here.”
Lingard, who was reportedly the subject of a £5m bid from Fulham during January’s transfer window, says he sees himself as more of an attacking midfielder than out-and-out striker.
“When I play on the left I like to come inside. I would describe myself as an attacking midfielder. I’m there to create chances and score goals.
“I don’t really have influences and role models. I like to think I play my own game, and have my own style of play. Obviously at United there are a lot of players vying for this position. You learn from them, but I am my own player, with my own attributes that suit me.
“I train with the first team at Manchester United. You get used to training with those players every day, it’s very motivational, it helps you strive more and more each day to get more training time and ultimately matches.
“The senior players there are like friends, they offer great support, help you where they can. We’ve just got back from a team bonding trip to Dubai.”
UPCOMING HOME FIXTURES
| Albion v Reading: Saturday 8th March, kick-off 3pm |
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| Albion v QPR: Tuesday 11th March, kick-off 7.45pm |
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| Albion v Ipswich Town: Saturday 22nd March, kick-off 3pm |
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Original article