Fans at the Amex will see one of the top two central defenders in the Premier League on Monday night - in the opposition.

It is not Albion's Lewis Dunk or Shane Duffy but Kurt Zouma, according to Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross.

The 23-year-old French international joined Stoke in August on a season-loan loan from Chelsea, around the same time that attacking midfielder Izzy Brown moved from Stamford Bridge to the Seagulls on the same basis.

While Brown's chances have been limited by injury and the form of Pascal Gross in the No.10 role, Zouma has been ever-present for Mark Hughes's team alongside injury-hit Shawcross, apart from the defeat by his parent club.

Shawcross said: "He's quick, he can jump really high, he can pass the ball, he can shoot, he doesn't get beat one-v-one. He's like the ultimate defender.

"I think Toby Alderweireld and Kurt are the top two centre-halves in the country at the moment."

Shawcross, speaking to the Stoke Sentinel, added: "I wasn't surprised we got him because obviously we've got a good link with Chelsea, but I was surprised they let him go just because they've not had the greatest starts and I really do think he's going to turn out to be one of the top centre-halves in the country."