Rushworth to leave Swansea with high hopes

Carl Rushworth has been a consistent performer in a difficult season for Swansea, keeping 10 clean sheets

Carl Rushworth will return to Brighton & Hove Albion next week believing he is a step closer to becoming a Premier League player after his season at Swansea City.

Rushworth’s sights have been set on the top flight – and England’s senior squad – since his days playing junior football in Halifax.

With his loan spell at Swansea coming to an end after Saturday’s Championship game against Millwall, Rushworth will train with Brighton next week as he attempts to impress Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi.

Beyond that, Rushworth says, he is unsure what his future holds – but this is a player with grand ambitions.

“Ever since I was a young boy, the two highlights I’d always want to achieve would be playing in the Premier League and playing for England,” Rushworth told BBC Sport Wales.

“Whether I get there as quick as I can or I take a bit of a slower approach… as long as I get there, I get there.”

Rushworth is 22. At that age, some goalkeepers are yet to play first-team football.

Yet after previous loan spells at Walsall and Lincoln City, Rushworth is set for EFL appearance number 131 against Millwall.

Carl Rushworth (left) spent time in the USA with Brighton's senior squad during pre-season last year

Assuming he completes the game, Rushworth will leave Wales having played every minute of Swansea’s Championship campaign.

He will have to make room in the car for some silverware, having been named supporters’ player of the season and players’ player of the season at Swansea’s awards dinner on Wednesday night.

Presumably, the trophies will sit alongside the young player of the year prize he won while in League One with Lincoln last season, and the players’ player of the year and young player gongs he claimed while sampling League Two with Walsall in 2021-22.

“This my fourth loan spell, third on the bounce and playing pretty much every game,” Rushworth said.

“Brighton have tried to make sure I am comfortable being uncomfortable, pushing me out of the building. I have loved it at Swansea and I am always going to have positive memories.”

That is not to say that Rushworth will definitely not be back.

Luke Williams would love to re-sign Rushworth, as would Martyn Margetson, the goalkeeping coach Swansea share with England.

But Swans head coach Williams suggested last month that another loan deal is unlikely.

Yet if Brighton decide he would benefit from another spell in the Championship, Rushworth says Swansea would be “really high up” his list of options.

“When I go back down to Brighton, it’s going to be one of those conversations that I am going to have,” he said.

“Now I have had this season at Swansea, I know the environment, the gaffer, the players and Marge (Margetson). If the opportunity presents itself, I could potentially come back.

“But you never know what can happen with football. I could be playing at Brighton, or elsewhere on a loan again – you never know.”

Released by Huddersfield Town at under-16 level, Rushworth was then turned down by a string of EFL clubs after trials.

He eventually joined Halifax, taking jobs as a glass collector and at a dry ski slope before his form in the FA Youth Cup saw him invited to spend time with Manchester United and Arsenal, as well as Brighton.

Five years since he opted for a move to the Amex, Rushworth looks closer than ever to a senior Brighton debut – although competition for places in De Zerbi’s squad is fierce.

Netherlands international Bart Verbruggen and Jason Steele have shared goalkeeping duties in the Premier League this season, with Tom McGill the third choice.

But having proved himself in the Championship Rushworth - one of three Brighton keepers currently out on loan – will return to the south coast in confident mood.

“That’s one of the main things about this loan,” he said. “Marge, the gaffer and the players have really filled me with confidence about what I’m capable of doing.

“When I go back down I will have my chest out and show them what I can do.”

England goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson rejoined Swansea's staff last summer, following Russell Martin's move to Southampton

As for England, there has been some suggestion that Rushworth’s performances at Swansea – and each day in training alongside Margetson – have made him an unlikely contender to go to Euro 2024.

The likes of Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone have had injury issues, while Aaron Ramsdale and James Trafford have lost their places at club level.

“Marge has said to me ‘listen, if you carry on what you are doing and keep learning goalkeeping like you have been doing this season, there’s always an opportunity for you to be one, a Premier League goalkeeper and two, an England goalkeeper hopefully’,” Rushworth says.

“That just fills me with belief and confidence, that the England goalkeeper coach is saying that to me.”

An England call this summer would be a major shock given that Rushworth has spent the season in the Championship.

But it would be no great surprise should he get there a little further down the line.