Lewis Dunk has been tipped to excel in the Premier League – by the man in whose footsteps he is following.

The Albion defender could make his Premier League debut when Manchester City visit the Amex in the opening game of the new season.

Andy Rollings, the commanding No.5 at the heart of the Albion back-line when they went up to the top flight in 1979, now watches Dunk as a regular at the Amex.

He believes the Brighton-born centre-back is hitting the big league at just the right time.

Rollings told The Argus: “We all know Lewis’ incredible ability but we have seen him mature as well.

“The season before last he had a few moments when things would happen and he would lose his calm, see a little bit of red mist. He has learned to curtail that.

“For me, he has probably turned into one of the more complete defenders you can get.

“He is so good defending, he reads the game so well and he is so comfortable on the ball – and, in the modern day game, that is so important.

“I can only see bigger and better things for Lewis.

“You have now got to go out and prove it at Premier League level.

“He has proved he is a top, top Championship player.

“Now he has got to prove it against the best players in the world and I am quietly confident he is going to do that.”

Dunk, 25, made four league starts for Albion in League One and has since added 159 in the Championship.

He will be a key part of boss Chris Hughton’s strategy to cope with some of the best attacking players in the world.

Rollings said: “The whole season is going to be tough but the one person I’d like to see prove a point is Chris.

“He is a top-top manager and the best we have had probably since Alan Mullery.

“It would be lovely for him to keep us up and then push onwards and upwards.

“We also have got a chairman and a board behind us who are top drawer.”