AARON CONNOLLY is leading the charge of Albion’s might brigade in Austria.

Head coach Graham Potter showed he is willing to give youngsters a chance at Swansea last season.

Connolly and several of his under-23s team-mates have been handed an opportunity to impress the boss during the Seagulls’ training camp in the mountains, instead of joining their age group in Portugal. They face an uphill climb to break into the Premier League – but Connolly has vowed to give it his best shot.

The prolific striker, loaned out to Luton at the end of last season, said: “It’s been good to meet the new head coach and his staff and I’m glad to be around it every day, it’s what I wanted and something I said in a few interviews at the end of last season.

“I want to be in this environment and push on now, it’s a chance I want to take.

“My aim is to play for the first team and impress the head coach here, hopefully I get my chance in some league or cup games.

“If that doesn’t work out then I’d consider going out on loan again.”

Others youngsters on the trip to the Alpine country include Viktor Gyokeres, Max Sanders, Steve Alzate and goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

Connolly’s Republic of Ireland under-21s colleague Jayson Molumby remained at home due to a minor injury.

Shane Duffy and Davy Propper are among the senior players in the party for the first time during pre-season.

They were given an extra week off by Potter to compensate for international duty with the Republic of Ireland and the Netherlands.

Potter put his squad through their paces yesterday in cool and damp conditions after they arrived on Sunday.

The week ends with Albion’s opening pre-season friendly on Saturday against Austrian second division club FC Liefering.