Albion defender Shane Duffy more comfortable facing Harry Kane than Wilfried Zaha

But he would rather be facing him than no striker.

That was the problem for the big Irishman and partner Lewis Dunk as Albion try to bounce back at the Amex tonight from conceding three goals in a Premier League away game for the first time this season at arch-rivals Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Roy Hodgson kept faith with Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend in the Palace attack. Duffy and Dunk did not have a traditional number nine to deal with at Selhurst Park until fit-again Christian Benteke was brought on in the closing stages.

Duffy told The Argus: "Every time I looked around I had no-one. It's quite difficult. Ask anyone when you are a centre-half, you do your normal positioning you get into for crosses but you're not marking someone.

"With Harry Kane up against us, you know the runs he makes, you know he wants to get shots off early. Zaha (below right) just floats everywhere and it's quite difficult.

"It's going to look bad, because of the goals we conceded, but there were still good parts of defending in there."

Duffy has thrived for club and country. His alliance with Dunk has earned lots of plaudits and he was recently announced the Republic of Ireland's Player of the Year.

Against Kane and company tonight he will be trying to put behind him Albion's nightmare start at Crystal Palace and a costly mistake in the last home game against Huddersfield, when a blind backpass allowed Steve Mounie to equalise.

Duffy (below), reflecting on his ups and downs, said: "I thought I started it (season) well, then maybe a little dip of form after the international (not qualifying for the World Cup), then picked up again.

"Obviously last week (own goal) was disappointing for me, but overall I'm quite happy.

"I think I've adapted quite well to the League. Not many of the strikers have got the better of me where I've thought I can't handle them.

"I could do better, but I've still done well enough. I'm always trying to improve."