Albion are hugely excited about Tariq Lamptey’s potential for progress.

They believe he still has a lot to learn.

Crucially, he also the ability and attitude to put those lessons into practice.

Not to mention a great basis on which to work.

One of the lessons will be learnt the hard way this afternoon as he sits out the home match against Liverpool.

Lamptey was sent off for a second yellow card offence at Aston Villa last week.

It looked a harsh decision but Graham Potter has recognised Lamptey got himself into a situation he did not need to.

Jack Grealish was, according to modern day vernacular, streetwise or clever to win himself a decision.

As a result, Albion were left with ten men and Villa had the free-kick which almost led to a penalty.

Lamptey received a lot of sympathy for the second booking. Without disagreeing with that sentiment, Potter wants the 20-year-old to be wiser for the experience.

He told The Argus: “The second challenge is probably one he has to learn from because he gives the referee a chance to give him a yellow card when he might not need to.

“That again is one he will learn from. It’s part of his strength, which is his desire to try to win the ball and help the team.

“But we are human beings and he will get better for the experience.”

Defenders face tough decisions when players are looking to go down.

There was an argument from some that Solly March should not have left his right leg out in the subsequent incident which saw Trezeguet tumble in the box.

But then, had he not done so, he would not have diverted the ball and Trezeguet would have gone past him to be in on goal.

Lamptey does not need to look too far for any advice on avoiding that second yellow.

He has been working with Bruno, his predecessor on the right of the Albion defence.

The former skipper was booked 40 times during his seven seasons playing for the Seagulls. But he never received a second yellow.

Bruno wasn't a saint. He got a straight red when Albion were clinging to a lead at Wolves and he served suspensions due to accumulations of bookings. But he never got that second yellow in a game. 

Such double misdemeanours are very rare in the Prem this season.

Lamptey is the only player to be dismissed for a second yellow so far.

Nicolas Pepe’s brainstorm at Leeds last Sunday saw him pick up the 11th straight red.

The lack of double-bookings is a statistical quirk this season and is unique to our league.

There have been six second yellows in Serie A, there was the sixth of the season in the Bundesliga last night and there have been no fewer than 15 in LaLiga.

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For the third time, Albion’s satisfaction at an away reward was blighted by a suspension for one of their key men.

Yves Bissouma in the win at Newcastle, Lewis Dunk trying to turn one point into three at Crystal Palace and now Lamptey after so much great work at Villa.

The fact his absence is being seen as such a blow speaks volumes about his efforts since making his first Prem start at Leicester just five months ago.

READ MORE: How should Albion play it without Lamptey?

If that is a negative Lamptey can learn from, far more exciting are the many positives he can develop and improve.

Potter said: “He is a young player and, if you speak to him, he will say he has got lots to improve.

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“His defensive decision-making, his positioning, his crossing in the final third.

“That’s actually normal. It’s positive because he is not at his absolute maximum.

“It’s exciting for him, it’s exciting for us. We can all see how much he influences the game already.

“It’s our job to help him.”