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Loan watch: Brighton youngster Carl Rushworth performing well in League One
Brighton and Hove Albion youngster Carl Rushworth is enjoying life with Lincoln City in League One during his loan spell away from the Seagulls.
The 21-year-old was a man in demand in the summer with a host of third-tier clubs after his signature after his good loan spell at Walsall in League Two. However, it was the Imps who landed the Brighton shot-stopper and he’s made a good start for Mark Kennedy’s men.
Despite currently sitting in the bottom half of the table near the bottom three, Lincoln have one of the better defensive records compared to teams around them, and in fact, they don’t face a great number of shots.
As per Wyscout, only four teams have faced fewer shots than the Imps, which makes Rushworth’s underlying numbers more impressive.
Rushworth averages three saves per 90 minutes with a 75 per cent reflex accuracy, which puts him only behind highly-rated Plymouth goalkeeper Michael Cooper. He also has a prevented goals of 0.01, which essentially means he hasn’t been at fault for any of the goals Lincoln have conceded so far this season.
The remainder of this season will be vital for the Brighton youngster to really show that he can compete for the number one shirt at the Amex. With new head coach Roberto De Zerbi taking the reigns at the Amex, there’s a chance for a fresh start for Rushworth when he does return to the South Coast.
His contract in Sussex runs until the summer of 2025 which means he should be given a first-team shot at some point over the next couple of years. Robert Sanchez will undoubtedly be the number one for De Zerbi, but there is every chance that Rushworth could be considered his understudy in the 2023/24 season.
In other Football Wonderkids news, wonderkid Ethan Nwaneri is in ‘great hands’ with Jack Wilshere, says Gunners captain and Premier League attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard.