Albion boss Chris Hughton has backed Gordon Greer to cushion the “big blow” of losing Lewis Dunk for the promotion decider at Middlesbrough.

Skipper Greer, 35, will be marking fellow Scotland international Jordan Rhodes in his first appearance for the Seagulls since January following Dunk’s red card against Derby on Monday.

Dunk has established a strong centre-half partnership with Young Player of the Season Connor Goldson, who has been keeping Greer out of the side after his recovery from injury.

Hughton told The Argus: “It’s a big blow because we’ve had continuity and Lewis has been outstanding since that difficult period he had a while ago.

“He will be a loss but we’ve had to cope at other times this season.

“Gordon has missed a big chunk of it. That’s why he trains as hard as he does. His lack of match action is a concern but he is a player with vast experience. I would have no hesitation in putting him in.”

Greer has played one game for Albion since Boxing Day but had 90 minutes for Scotland in a 1-0 friendly win against Denmark at the end of March.

Dunk’s two-match ban for his second dismissal of the season also rules him out of either Albion’s first game in the Premier League or the semi-final first leg against Sheffield Wednesday in the play-offs at Hillsborough on May 13.