Is Rushworth set to stay at Brighton?

The Swans have been linked with a second loan move for Carl Rushworth ever since Luke Williams said that the deal was on in a post match interview towards the end of last season.

The Swans boss at the time hinted that the deal was pretty much done and dusted but it appears to have been anything but with the keeper linked with moves to both Ipswich and Sheffield United during the summer window as well as a return to SA1.

There have been several reports about the future of Rushworth during the course of the summer including those that said Brighton were prepared to wait until relatively late in the window before making a decision on a player that they still believe is destined for a strong future in the game.

That delay led to Rushworth being able to be on the bench on Saturday as the Seagulls won their opening Premier League fixture of the season 3-0 away to Everton to top the early Premier League table for the second season running.   Although an unused substitute it does show that new Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler does have some faith in Rushworth and could use him if called upon.

He could even see first team action in the next two weeks with a Carabao Cup tie at home to Crawley seemingly a great opportunity for a first team start for the Seagulls as he looks to create a career at a higher division.  With that game coming just days before the closure of the transfer window then it could be that any interested parties may have moved on from Rushworth as a target which leads everyone to believe that a stay at Brighton is the most likely outcome for at least the first half of the season.

This becomes more likely when you consider that Bart Verbruggen has been ruled out until the early part of September at the earliest although in terms of fixtures that only means two more Premier League games – away at Manchester United and at home to Arsenal.

Speculation on Rushworth is likely to continue until such point as Brighton either make a decision public or the window closes but his presence on the bench on Saturday has sent clear suggestions that he is very much in their squad plans for the current season.

Time will, of course, tell!