Albion goalkeeping coach Tony Godden has spoken of his shock at the death of his former protege Dale Roberts.

Roberts, 24, was found at his home in Northants on Tuesday afternoon.

Godden said: “I just couldn’t believe that he had passed away. He was a lovely lad.

“I took him to Rushden from (Nottingham) Forest. He came on loan a couple of times and then we ended up taking him permanently.

“He was one of the gentlest men I have ever come across in football and a good goalkeeper for that level. He was just a nice bloke, it came as a complete shock to me.

“I’m very disappointed and upset about it. My heart goes out to his family and girlfriend.”

Police are not treating Roberts’ death as suspicious.

Godden added: “He was a very level-headed kid and it’s just something I didn’t think would happen but the boy’s had it a bit hard over the last six months.

“He’s had some personal things go wrong and then he wasn’t getting in the side. It affects people in different ways and people like that are very good at hiding it but it was a complete shock, completely out of character.”

Godden is back on duty with the Seagulls following a third operation to remove kidney stones.