Brighton boss Chris Hughton has defended the form of winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Iran international Jahanbakhsh was top goalscorer in Holland last season but has endured a frustrating time with Albion since his summer switch from AZ Alkmaar.

"We are yet to see the best of him but I think that's more circumstances and it's very much been stop-start," said Hughton.

"He came late, so it's sort of adjusting to us, to pre-season, the division, and then probably he got injured at a time when, for his progress, he didn't need to.

"I think for his development, the Asian Cup came at a bad time but now he's back it's about integrating back into the group again and going again and we hope we can develop that from now until the end of the season.

"It might be that because of the way the season's gone, next season we see the best of him."