Lewis Dunk has been backed to play “at the very highest level” with Albion.

The defender leads the Seagulls out at the Amex as club captain for the first time when they face West Ham tomorrow.

He is relishing both that role and being the middle man in a back three.

Now Graham Potter has challenged him to keep progressing - and Albion to be the club to make that possible.

The Seagulls’ head coach said: “He has got all the attributes to play at the very highest level. We are lucky to have him.

“He has taken on the responsibility of captaincy in a very positive way.

“That is the improvement I like and credit to him for that.

“He has been here for a long time, he knows the club and he just wants to do his best for the team and lead in a way that other people can recognise and follow.

“He wants to develop, he wants to get better and that is our challenge, to make sure as a club and as a team we carry on doing that.”

Dunk earnt his only England cap so far in a friendly win over the USA last year.

The fact Albion now play the back three system favoured by Gareth Southgate could help him return to the national squad.

Especially if he plays as he did at Watford on the opening day.

Asked about Dunk’s international chances, Potter said: “That’s not my problem, fortunately. I’ve just got to try and help him play his best football for us.

“If you look at his performance at the weekend, he defends his box really well, at a high level.

“His pass for the third goal was again high level.

“He has to keep playing at that level and then we will see.”