ALBION No. 1 Tomasz Kuszczak has backed Lewis Dunk to shine on his first Championship start for 15 months.

Dunk is poised to replace suspended skipper Gordon Greer in tomorrow night's crunch clash with QPR at the Amex.

Dunk was brought on immediately after Greer’s red card early in the second half against Reading on Saturday and helped the Seagulls to a 1-1 draw.

Kuszczak told The Argus: “There is no doubt that Lewis can perform. He’s a good player, both technical and in his strength. “He is really hungry to play football because he doesn’t get many chances. This will be a good opportunity for him to perform. I’m sure he’ll do well.”

Dunk’s last Championship start was at home to Millwall in December 2012 but the 22-year-old featured in Albion’s FA Cup run, including both fifth round games against Hull.

Kuszczak said: “The amount of games we play help you to establish yourself. It is much easier to perform if you’re playing regularly. “If you don’t play a lot and then you play after two or three months without football it’s hard to settle in.

“He should be at match tempo because his last FA Cup game wasn’t too long ago. On Saturday he played 35 minutes and I’m sure he will be ready for QPR, if he plays!”

Central midfielders Dale Stephens (foot) and Andrea Orlandi (thigh) missed the Reading game and Spanish striker David Rodriguez, signed in January, did not make the 18-man squad.