The youth football expert responsible for Lewis Dunk joining Albion has urged the central defender to stay put in January.

David Moyes reportedly wants to make Dunk his first signing at West Ham.

Martin Hinshelwood expects the Brighton-born stopper to attract widespread interest from Premier League rivals but Albion’s head of youth when Dunk was signed as a schoolboy believes the 25-year-old’s immediate future should still be with the Seagulls.

Hinshelwood, now a southern youth scout for Monday night’s Amex visitors Stoke City, said: “I think he’s better off at Brighton. A couple of years ago Fulham were interested in him. He decided not to go and has pushed on.

The Argus:

Martin Hinshelwood

“Sometimes you get a feeling for things. Yes, again in January there are going to be better clubs than West Ham after him, established Premier League clubs.

“There will be interest in him but he’s a level-headed kid with a good family around him. He’ll make the right decision and I’m sure he’ll play the full season at Brighton.

“In years to come things might change, you can’t say they won’t. He might have a dip in form, he might be left out, you never know.

“There could be a change of manager who may not fancy him, things happen in football. But I think at the moment he has shown what a leader he is with (Shane) Duffy as a pair.”

Hinshelwood reveals in an exclusive interview inside The Argus today how Albion landed Dunk, who has been widely touted for an England call-up.

Leroy Rosenior, father of Albion team-mate Liam, claimed last month Dunk would improve any top six team.

Hunshelwood said: “What ever level you are that, if you go somewhere into a better group that will bring you on.

“You have still got to work at your game but having better players around you brings more out of you.

“If he goes somewhere, no disrespect to the Brighton players, they will be better players and that will bring him out. If he went with England there would be better players there.”