Rushworth admits he may need to leave Brighton

Goalkeeper Carl Rushworth admits he may need to leave Brighton to fulfil his ambitions.

The 24-year-old, on loan at Championship leaders Coventry, has been at the Seagulls for seven years.

He is yet to make a senior appearance for the club and his loan at the Sky Blues is the sixth of his career.

Rushworth has England ambitions and, as he eyes helping Coventry back to the top flight for the first time in 25 years, is considering his long-term future.

"I understand football is never easy and simple. Sometimes you've got to be selfish, see all the opportunities on the table," the former England Under-21 goalkeeper told BBC Sport.

"If that's here [Coventry], perfect, if it's at Brighton so be it. But if it's away from Brighton I'm happy to weigh up the option.

"I've been speaking to my agent and GG [Gordon Greer, Brighton's pathway's manager]. I'm trying to focus on the here and now but it's definitely a conversation to have.

"I want to be a Premier League goalkeeper, I want to have an established career and I want to get there as quick as I can.

"I do think I'm ready and I just need the opportunity and I want to take it."

Rushworth joined as a 17-year-old having been released by Huddersfield and has had loan spells at Worthing, Walsall, Lincoln, Swansea and Hull.

He has played 37 times for Coventry, keeping 13 clean sheets and is leading the race for the Championship's Golden Glove award.

The Sky Blues are eight points clear at the top with nine games left ahead of Saturday's visit of Southampton.

"This has been the best loan I've had, the most enjoyable, there have been so many positives to it," added Rushworth. "It'll be good to see how the season finishes and to keep striving about where we want to get to."