Roberto De Zerbi believes Brighton's trip to Nottingham Forest is their most important match of the season.

The Seagulls travel to the City Ground bidding to resume their push for Europe following an agonising FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United.

Wednesday's clash with relegation-threatened Forest marks the start of nine Premier League games in just under five weeks for De Zerbi's men, who sit eighth in the table. 

And the Brighton boss is determined to make history by bringing continental football to Sussex and help ease the pain of Sunday’s penalty shootout loss at Wembley.

He said: "We're still disappointed. We played a fantastic game. We gave our best and lost.

“We have to be stronger, we have to play [Forest] with the same passion, with the same attitude, with the same quality, because we have another nine games.

“We can change the history of the club and we have a big, big, big motivation to achieve it.

“To accept the last result, we have a big opportunity to achieve the target in the league. I think Forest is the most important game in our season."

De Zerbi, 43, is hopeful Danny Welbeck will be involved after he went off injured against United, while Facundo Buonanotte, 18, is set to make his full debut.

Evan Ferguson will be assessed after missing the trip to Wembley with an ankle issue sustained in the 2-1 win at Chelsea earlier this month. 

De Zerbi is unwilling to take risks with the striker, who is poised to sign a new deal at the Amex Stadium.

The Republic of Ireland international is already tied to the club until 2026, having signed his first professional deal on his 18th birthday last October.

Terms of the extension are understood to reward Ferguson's recent progress and De Zerbi believes Brighton is the best place for the teenager to develop.

He added: "It's very important news. He can improve a lot with us.

"I don't want to take any risks with him. We have another nine games and maybe he can be important for the last eight."