ALBION World Cup star Shane Duffy faces a driving ban after failing to turn up at court yesterday.

The Brighton and Hove Albion defender was due before the city’s magistrates to face a speeding charge.

He was flashed by a speed camera on the A259 on Kingsway in Hove on April 12.

This was at a time when Albion were involved in their tense end of season run-in before being promoted to the Premier League.

Magistrates have now called Duffy, 25, back to court next month where he faces a ban after totting up 12 penalty points.

The Irishman, who previously played for Everton, registered his £50,000 black Mercedes GLE to an address in Liverpool.

His no-show came hours after he had scored the opening goal in Ireland’s heavy 5-1 home defeat to Denmark on Tuesday night which saw them fail to qualify for the World Cup.

He headed the Republic of Ireland into a sixth-minute lead in their qualifying decider.

His first home goal for his country, and second this season in the qualifying campaign, put his side on course to join England in the finals following Saturday’s 0-0 draw in the first leg of the play-off against the Danes.

But it all went horribly wrong after that and they lost 5-1 to leave Duffy and his international team-mates licking their wounds.

Meanwhile, new figures published by the Premier League reveal Duffy has been the best defender in the air in the first three months of the season.

He has made 103 effective clearances, 77 headed clearances and won 55 aerial battles, ranking him top in each category.

Duffy told The Argus on Saturday that he has targeted the World Cup after becoming a Premier League killjoy.

The Republic of Ireland defender is delighted with his “big and ugly” double act alongside Lewis Dunk at the back for Albion.

He said: “It is just clicking at the minute.

“I think strikers are not really enjoying playing against us. We are big and ugly!

“It’s going well but we can’t get too ahead of ourselves,

“We have only played 11 games in this top league ad we have got a lot ahead of us.”

Albion return to league action on Monday when Stoke visit.

Duffy said: “That’s better for me but only if I play the games.

“I don’t take my place for granted.

“If I play the games it gives me another extra couple of days’ recovery.”

Born in Derry in Northern Ireland, Duffy played for Northern Ireland at youth international level before switching allegiance to the Republic of Ireland.

He made his debut for their senior team in 2014 and represented the country at UEFA Euro 2016.

Duffy made his Premier League debut at White Hart Lane on January 11, 2012, coming on as a substitute for the final 30 minutes in a 2–0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

He made the first Premier League start of his career in a 1–1 draw with Aston Villa.

On August 26 last year, Duffy signed a four-year deal with the Albion for an undisclosed fee.

Duffy was called up for Euro 2016 but was an unused sub for the first two matches.