Ryan looked set to make the No.1 keeper spot his own following his off-season move from La Liga side Valencia. 

However, on transfer deadline day, Brighton signed Krul on loan from Newcastle, before making the move permanent two weeks later. 

The signing of a Premier League veteran may have signalled the end for Ryan as No.1, but the Aussie goalkeeper retained his spot in their Premier League win over Newcastle on the weekend. 

Ryan says the added competition Krul brings is only a good thing for him and the side. 

“Tim Krul is a great goalkeeper. In football, at the top leagues, you're going to have competition for every spot," the 25-year-old told the Brighton website.

"That's what makes your team so competitive, and we're all thriving off it. We all get along so well and keep pushing each other."

Ryan put in a solid performance against Newcastle, keeping a clean sheet as Brighton sealed all three points. But it has not been an easy start to his Premier League career.

“I was taken a little bit by surprise, it seems to be the theme at the minute," Ryan said after having to make a crucial save in just the second minute of the match.

"I guess in England the defence tend to sit a lot deeper than what I have played with in the past. 

"With a defender trying to block it, you don't have a clear view on the ball, and everything happens so quickly.

"I just try to react and thankfully I was able to keep this one out, but the rest of the guys in front of me scrambled well and did a great job.

"I was just sort of there picking up the pieces. Rob Elliot made a fantastic save to keep it at 1-0 and we were really searching for that second one, but we got the three points, so happy days."

Ryan added: "Fingers crossed we won't be in the relegation dog fight. You don't plan to struggle the whole year.

"Hopefully we can keep picking up points and we won't find ourselves in that battle.

"There is no better feeling than a win. Hopefully we can convert a lot more home games into wins and avoid any sort of relegation struggle."