Norwich City midfielder Elliott Bennett will remain on loan at Championship rivals Brighton until the end of December after extending his initial stay.

Bennett has made two appearances for his previous club since a move to the south coast, but sat out last weekend's 3-3 Championship draw against the Seagulls under the terms of his original deal.

The 25-year-old will stay with Brighton for another month after completing the expected extension on the final day of the Football League emergency loan deadline.

Seagulls' boss Sami Hyypia made it clear on Wednesday he wanted to keep Bennett at the Amex Stadium after a positive impact ahead of what would have been the final game of his original loan spell this weekend against Fulham.

'We are trying to extend Elliott's loan, because I really like him as a character as well as a player,' he said. 'He can help the team to be better. I would very much like to extend his stay. I am quite optimistic that it will happen. He wants to stay as well. I'm pretty sure that we can make a deal with everyone that he can stay here. I think we are talking about one month more.'

Bennett's two appearances so far have brought a Championship win over Wigan and a point at Blackburn. The extended deal means the City loanee will now be eligible for Brighton through the Christmas schedule up to and including the match against Fulham at Craven Cottage on December 29.