He’s the most focused player I’ve ever seen says Hughton

BRIGHTON boss Chris Hughton says Gaetan Bong has no fears about returning to Burnley, where he was involved in a race storm last season.

Bong was booed throughout the match at Turf Moor after previously accusing Burnley-born striker Jay Rodriguez of racially abusing him during a match against West Brom (below) in January.

The charge was found “not proven” but Hughton called the reaction of Burnley fans “shameful.”

And the FA, who insisted there was never a suggestion that Bong’s accusation was malicous or fabricated, described the reaction as “unacceptable.”

Now full-back Bong faces going back to the same ground for the first time. But when asked if he had any concerns, Hughton was clear.

“No, not really,” he said. “Gaetan is one of the most focused players I have seen. I think we were all disappointed with the crowd reaction last time.

“But I don’t think that’s a reflection of the club. It’s a wonderful club with a wonderful history.

“I don’t see any issues at all. It’s a good period of time that has gone by now and, more importantly, it’s about two teams playing hard enough to get a result.”

In fact, Hughton piled on the compliments for struggling Burnley ahead of his team’s trip north – insisting they won’t go down.

“I don’t think they will be relegation candidates,” he said, even though the Clarets are currently second from bottom of the Premier League. “By the standards of last season it has been a difficult campaign for them as regards results.

“But things will kick in for them, I’m very confident of that.

“They’ve got a very good manager and a way of playing that over a season will get them results.

“I very much expect them to improve, I don’t see them as a team that will go down.”

There seems little chance of Brighton going down, either, considering they go into the fixture in 10th place and looking for a third Premier League win in a row.

Midfielder Dale Stephens returns from suspension but defender Shane Duffy is banned after being sent off against Crystal Palace in midweek.

Top scorer Glenn Murray and winger Jose Izquierdo will have late fitness tests.