Chris Hughton is singing the praises of his young central defenders as Albion continue their promotion push without captain Gordon Greer.

Lewis Dunk and Connor Goldson partner each other again today against Bolton at the Amex, with Greer missing through injury for the seventh time in eight matches.

Dunk, 24, has recovered from a spell of costly mistakes and boss Hughton has been particularly impressed by 23-year-old Goldson.

The summer signing from Shrewsbury has shrugged off an unfortunate full home debut on New Year’s Day, when an own goal gifted home town club Wolves the points, to help Albion to three successive wins and two clean sheets.

Hughton said: “To have two centre-halves of their age certainly bodes well for the future. Lewis has very much been a mainstay and did ever so well for us last season, scoring a lot of goals. He has had a couple of difficult periods, but come through them.

The Argus:

“Connor (above) has come in and done really well. That’s a testament to him because he trains very well and if you’re that type of individual, preparing yourself for the possibility of getting a game, then you’ve got a better chance.

“It’s a great example for people who may think they’re out of things and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel and the next thing you’re playing.”

The Dunk-Goldson partnership is poised to continue in a hat-trick of away games at Hull on Tuesday, Cardiff next Saturday and Bristol City three days later.

Greer, 35, is not due to resume training until next week following a recurrence of hamstring trouble. German stopper Uwe Huenemeier is still some way off a return from the groin damage he sustained in the first league defeat of the season at home to Middlesbrough in December.