Last summer, the odds on Anthony Knockaert being back within reach of the Premier League and his old club Leicester winning it would have been astronomical.

The French winger had just joined Standard Liege in Belgium, Leicester had just avoided relegation.

A few extraordinary months later the impossible dream could become a reality.

“It would be something unbelievable,” Knockaert said. “I had a great time at Leicester. If we can get promoted and Leicester are champions it would be the best season in my life.”

Which is more likely? Considering the current state of play at the top of the Premier League and the Championship you would favour the Foxes but Knockaert, donning the blue and white stripes for the fifth time against Bolton Wanderers at the Amex today, responds differently.

“Of course, Brighton get promoted,” he said. “It’s not a question – but for me the dream would be to have both. “It’s just something crazy (Leicester). They work very hard. We saw against Man City last week, it’s just unbelievable, the work, the team spirit.”

There are some similarities between Chris Hughton’s Albion and the Championship-winning Leicester side Knockaert was a regular member of under Nigel Pearson two seasons ago.

He said: “We play in the same formation (4-4-2). I can’t really say either is better, every team is different.

“At Leicester we had two strikers in Jamie Vardy and David Nugent, who could score in every game. Here we have got Tomer Hemed, James Wilson and Bobby Zamora, who are very good but don’t score in every game like Nugent and Vardy.

“But everyone works hard for the team and we have big quality, so I believe we have the same quality as Leicester to reach the Premier League.”

Leicester, inspired by Riyad Mahrez, the Algeria international whose emergence restricted Knockaert’s Premier League opportunities last season, have scaled new heights under Claudio Ranieri.

Mahrez and Vardy have been the main headline-grabbers for their attacking play. The same is true of Knockaert at Albion after setting up both goals on his home debut against Huddersfield, then scoring and starring against Brentford eight days ago.

Robert Huth has also made a huge difference to Leicester at centre-half since joining them from Stoke last season.

Knockaert is aware of the importance of his defensive duties in Hughton’s system and appreciative of the player behind him.

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He said: “Bruno has been an example for me since I’ve been here. He’s helped me so much, about communication in the game.

“Away from football as well he is a top lad. I can’t believe he is 35. When I see him playing he looks like a 27-year-old. It’s a really good thing for me to work with a player like that behind me.

“It’s also why I’m feeling very good on the pitch. He is an important guy for me.

“My position is about looking forwards and backwards. The most important is first to think backward, then forward.

“Because if you don’t work hard in the Championship and don’t do your defensive shape you will be in trouble.

“I’ve had the experience of that with Leicester. That’s why I work so hard defensively. That’s key, to also help Bruno. The left-winger has to do the same.

“It’s important when you play 4-4-2 to help the right-back and the left-back.”

It will be especially important in the hat-trick of away tests on the horizon against Hull, Cardiff and Bristol City but first comes the chance of three more home points and another eyecatching part for Knockaert.

“My last game in the Championship (for Leicester) was against Bolton when we won the title,” he said. “It’s a great memory but now I’ve forgotten that.

“I am just thinking about Bolton this Saturday. The past is the past and I need to make sure I think about the future. The future for me is to achieve promotion with Brighton.