Gus Poyet today praised Tommy Elphick’s commitment to the Albion cause after revealing his big defender will miss the start of life at The Amex.

Elphick underwent an operation yesterday after suffering a ruptured Achilles in Saturday’s season-ending 1-1 draw at Notts County.

Poyet has already ruled him out of his plans for the Seagulls’ return to the Championship in August and fears he could be out until November.

Elphick was stretchered off after collapsing in agony early in the second half at Meadow Lane.

The Albion boss said: “There was no tackle. The Achilles just broke. That’s what happens with an Achilles. You don’t expect it, then it just goes bang.

“He could be out for four, five or six months, depending on the operation.

“He will recover properly but he will miss the start of next season.”

Elphick spent much of Albion’s title-winning campaign on the sidelines but started the final six matches.

He replaced the suspended Gordon Greer as the Seagulls secured promotion and any doubt as to whether he would keep his place was removed when Adam El-Abd missed the last two matches through injury.

Poyet wants other players to be similarly ready to slot straight in when needed next season.

He said: “We need everyone to be ready. Tommy was always ready.

“He was always expecting sooner or later he would come into the team.

“Unfortunately he did not finish the season. The end of the season did not quite come quickly enough for him.”

Albion remain in negotiations with several development squad members hoping to emulate midfielder Yaser Kasim, who made his League One debut at MeadowLane.

Ryan Simmonds, James Smith, Steve Cook and Ryan Thomson are all approaching the end of contracts.

Midfield prospect Jake Forster-Caskey, who recently signed a two-year professional deal, made a successful first start of the under-17 European Championships yesterday.

Forster-Caskey, an unused substitute in England’s first two group games, had a hand in the first goal as hosts Serbia were beaten 3-0.

The result sends England into the semi-finals and also secures a spot in the World Cup, being staged in Mexico from June 18.

England, who are European champions at this age group, will play Holland in the last four of the UEFA tournament.