Albion boss Sami Hyypia has paid tribute to Aaron Hughes and backed his influence for club as well as country.

The Seagulls' 34-year-old central defender is on course to become an outfield record-breaker for Northern Ireland after winning his 93rd cap in Greece on Tuesday night.

Hughes has moved above Mal Donhagy to third on their all-time appearances list behind striker David Healy (95) and goalkeeping great Pat Jennings (119).

He should draw level with Healy next March, ironically against Hyypia's native Finland.

The form of Lewis Dunk alongside captain Gordon Greer has restricted Hughes to two Championship starts out of 11 for Albion since signing in the summer as the replacement for Matt Upson following a short spell with QPR.

Hyypia says it is comforting to have the ex-Newcastle, Fulham and Aston Villa stopper to fall back on and as a role model for the next generation of players.

Hyypia told The Argus: "When I knew Aaron was available I didn't have any hesitation to try to get him here, because I'd heard what kind of professional he is and I trust him as a player as well.

"When you have that kind of experience you have a level of consistency in you. Of course, everyone will make mistakes, that's not a problem for me. I trust Aaron that he is always ready when I need him.

"I see in him a lot of myself when I was a senior player, his mentality and everything. He is an ideal player for a manager.

"He is always taking care of himself, always ready when we need him to be on the pitch and play well.

"He is playing well and he is training well. He is a good example for the young lads how to train, how to be professional, and now he is playing very well with Northern Ireland as well.

"It's an ideal situation, that I have no worries with the centre-back situation at the moment. That's how I like it to be and he'll get his games.

"In that position nobody can play all the games at a high level and you never know when injuries are going to come."

Or suspensions. Scottish international Greer and Dunk, 23 next month, are both on three bookings, two away from a ban.

The latter has the benefit of tapping into the knowledge of two experienced campaigners for club and country.

Hyypia said: "Experience in the centre-back position is helping the whole team. We have a very good young centre-back here who has done very well this season.

"I would like to think that Aaron is pushing him as well. Hopefully he (Dunk) is talking with Aaron a lot, how to deal with different situations. Aaron can help him to be even better."