Lewis Dunk returns to Huddersfield with Albion today a changed player.

He remains an accomplished central defender but is no longer a bit of a liability.

Three players are on a brink of a ban in the clash at the John Smith's Stadium between two of the teams promoted to the Premier League.

Dunk is not one of them. His partner Shane Duffy, striker Glenn Murray and Huddersfield skipper Tommy Smith all need to steer clear of a booking today and in the three following matches to avoid automatic one-match suspensions.

Dunk, on the other hand, has only collected three cautions so far. And only two others since he saw red in the corresponding fixture last season in the Championship at the beginning of February.

Dunk was dismissed on that occasion for two yellow cards, the second a foul on rival turned team-mate Izzy Brown, in Albion's 3-1 defeat. They were his 11th and 12th cards of the season.

The improvement in his disciplinary record has been dramatic and important to Albion's hopes of Premier League survival.

Manager Chris Hughton said: "It is a combination of a few things – the things that we have said to him and probably him being aware himself of how important he was to the team.

"Any time that this happens, it's not just about making silly mistakes, it's about letting other people down. So I think it's a combination of a lot of things.

"He's got older, he's more mature, he's played a lot more games now, and certainly coming into this season the stakes are so much higher.

"So it's a combination but credit to him, he is the only one that can do it.

"Lewis is a whole-hearted player and you have got to be able to manage that. There is a line that is drawn between being whole-hearted, wanting to win, and doing things sensibly, helping the team and not hindering it. First of all, he is a player you want available."

Albion have the joint ninth-best defensive record, alongside Arsenal and Liverpool, and their centre-halves have been key figures.

The Argus: Duffy (above, third right) has made 128 clearances - more than any other player - and Dunk is 14th in the table with 82.

A consequence of his thirst for defending and countless blocks is an unfortunate three own goals against Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool, one away from Martin Skrtel's Premier League record in a season.

Hughton said: "I certainly wouldn't want to take any of that away from him. For the unfortunate few (goals) that end up coming off him, there are far more where he gets blocks.

"The discipline bit he has managed and that is what you wanted to take from him, but certainly not this part of him. We have two centre-halves who are both prepared to throw their bodies in there and occasionally it won't go in our favour."