GIFTON Noel-Williams believes being sucked into a relegation battle with Brighton will "buck-up" his own game.

The Burnley striker began his loan spell with the Seagulls in the best possible way at the weekend with a debut goal in the 1-1 draw with Luton.

That was Noel-Williams first goal in seven months, since finding the target for the Clarets against Derby County in August.

More goals will quickly be needed if Albion are to bridge the yawning nine-point gap to safety.

There are just 18 available from their remaining six Championship games.

But after rejecting overtures from elsewhere, the 26-year-old is relishing the chance to play the starring role in a seaside special.

He said: "I love the challenge and that is half the reason I came down here to Brighton.

"Obviously my season at Burnley hasn't gone well and this challenge gives me the chance to finish my season on a high by helping Brighton stay up.

"There are a lot of challenges people take in life. You can be pushing for promotion, pushing for the play offs or fighting relegation.

"But when you are mid-table that challenge kind of goes a little bit and I was in that position at Burnley.

"I wasn't playing, so coming here was a big challenge to buck my game up a bit and bring something to the club that is not there at the moment.

"There are a lot of youngsters in the squad and hopefully my experience up front will rub off on them and maybe supply a few goals."

Noel-Williams added: "I had a few other options on the table but I saw this as more of a challenge and after speaking to the manager and my representatives, we felt that coming here would be the best option."

Noel-Williams' loan deal runs until the end of the season, when he is scheduled to re-join Burnley where he has one-year remaining on his contract.

However, Steve Cotterill's deadline day swoop for Sunderland target man Andy Gray, who will cost £750,000 when he signs a three-year deal for Burnley in the summer, has left supporters wondering if Noel-Williams has already played his last game for the club.

And the striker is equally unsure what the future holds once Albion's own fate is decided.

He said: "I am here until the end of the season and when this loan spell runs out I will sit down with my family and my advisors and discuss the next move.

"At the moment it's a case of Brighton helping me out with games and me helping Brighton out.

"The manager, Mark McGhee, has basically told me to come here and play my game.

"We are both helping each other out and let's hope it's successful for both of us."