Albion captain Gordon Greer has praised the calming influence of Mauricio Taricco as the assistant manager considers his playing future again.

Taricco heads for one of his old clubs Ipswich tomorrow with doubts about the 38-year-old Argentinian defender continuing to be part of the Seagulls’ Championship squad.

Boss Gus Poyet named his No. 2 as a surprise replacement at right-back for Inigo Calderon in Tuesday’s 3-1 home defeat by Crystal Palace.

Taricco was outstanding for an hour before he was replaced by Romain Vincelot, with Albion leading 1-0.

Greer said: “He was fantastic the other night. When he went off we definitely missed him.

“He brings a wealth of experience and he is so calm on the ball. He is a fantastic defender. People don’t really realise how good a defender he actually is.

“To play alongside him makes everything so much easier. It’s just disappointing he had to come off.”