Albion must 'make sure we have fire to win'

Brighton's Jan Paul van Hecke says Roberto de Zerbi's side must show "fire and desire" in Thursday's Europa League game against Ajax.

Albion are third in Group B at the halfway stage and the defender said players cannot afford complacency against a side of Ajax's quality.

He told BBC Radio Sussex: "Make sure we have the fire and desire to win this game and to go there full of confidence. To take it from the first minute and make sure we are ready to play like we can. I am sure we can have a positive result.

"After four games we should know how we play and what Europe is about - and we need to show it tomorrow."

Van Hecke joined Brighton from NAC Breda in September 2020 and is a Netherlands Under-21 international. He said he was pleased to be playing in his native country.

"Really excited," he said." My family and a few of my brothers supported Ajax so it’s special. I’m looking forward to a great game.

"I know Ajax is a really big club with a big history and loads of trophies in the Netherlands but also in Europe. Then you see the stadium and tomorrow with the fans is even better. It’s a big game.

"The group is wide open. We need three points and they need three points. There is always pressure [to get a result] and that’s the stage we are at now. We play every game to win and tomorrow is the same. I'm really confident and hopefully we can get another three points."