Christian Walton is approaching crunch time in his career at Brighton & Hove Albion.
The towering goalkeeper has been building for eight years towards becoming the club’s regular No 1 but, in the final season of his contract, is still a long way from achieving his aim — even though Mat Ryan, the main barrier to his ambitions just six months ago, has joined Arsenal on loan for the rest of the campaign.
Ryan’s move to the Emirates Stadium on Friday made no difference to Walton’s involvement in the 2-1 FA Cup win at home to League One side Blackpool 24 hours later. The Australian would not have been in the squad anyway.
Jason Steele has been regarded by head coach Graham Potter as better suited to warming the bench since Ryan lost his place to Robert Sanchez in December. Another goalkeeper, David Button, also left Brighton to join West Bromwich Albion last September.
It was always on the cards that Walton would play against…
