ALBION boss Chris Hughton has praised Connor Goldson for keeping out captain Gordon Greer – and the opposition for nearly five hours.

Hughton has kept faith with Goldson at centre-half following Greer’s recovery from hamstring trouble.

The ex-Shrewsbury stopper was whacked in the face twice at Preston but stood firm again next to Lewis Dunk.

Hughton told The Argus: “He is on the back of three clean sheets and he plays a part in that.

“He took a bit of a bashing but that is all part of his education. He is a young centre-half in what is very much an experienced position and he is doing very well at the moment.”

Hughton also paid tribute to Dunk for his recovery in recent games from a series of costly mistakes.

“He had a tough period a little while ago,” Hughton said.

“He’s come through that with flying colours. These clean sheets will do him and the back four the world of good.”

Albion could go third in the table with as much as a draw at home to Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow evening.

Hull, who are third in the table on level points with Albion but with a better goal difference, are in FA Cup action at home to Arsenal.