Ryan joined newly promoted Brighton from Valencia in the off-season for a then-club record transfer fee, and has set the world on fire with his early season form in the Premier League.

But the Seagulls' signed fellow goalkeeper Tim Krul on loan from Newcastle prior to the closure of the transfer window, and made his deal permanent this week, increasing competition for Ryan's place.

The Australian is likely to get the nod to face Krul's former club on Monday morning (1am AEST) but Hughton wants him to feel under pressure to retain his spot.

“I like to think I’ve got three goalkeepers who are all pushing," Hughton told The Argus.

"Maty, of course, who came in the summer, and Niki (Maenpaa), who has done well for us on every occasion when he has had to.

“I think I’m in a very good position at the moment where I’ve got three very competitive goalkeepers, Tim being the newest of the three, having come just before the window closed.

“It is important for the goalkeepers themselves. I wouldn’t want somebody that I regard as the first choice at any particular time not feeling under pressure that he has a goalkeeper or two goalkeepers underneath him that are very much trying to become the number one choice.”

Ryan has started all five of Brighton's Premier League fixtures this term, while Maenpaa played in the cup.