CONNOR GOLDSON will be thrown in at the deep end for Albion at Deepdale after a run-out in the FA Cup.

Boss Chris Hughton will use Saturday’s third round tie against League One MK Dons at the Amex to prepare Goldson for a return to Championship action in place of the suspended Lewis Dunk at Preston North End on January 14.

Other players in the first team squad short of match minutes will also get a chance both against Dons and next Tuesday for the under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy at Coventry.

Hughton confirmed to The Argus: “I will use the squad, absolutely.

“The FA Cup game takes precedence, but I will use the game on Tuesday as well for players that need games.”

Goldson made 25 Championship appearances last season as Albion just missed out on promotion.

The 24-year-old bought from Shrewsbury has made only one league start and one brief substitute appearance so far this season, in October, following a pre-season knee injury and the record signing of Shane Duffy from Blackburn Rovers.

Goldson will be partnered against Dons by injury-plagued German Uwe Huenemeier.

Dunk misses the next two matches for a late tenth booking of the season after heading the winner at Fulham on Monday.

Hughton said: “We’re going to miss him for two games but these things happen and he was always going to get ten at some stage.”

Dunk has settled down into a regular star performer, signing two new five-year contracts, since he was fined two weeks wages at the start of last season for refusing to play in a League Cup tie at Southend.

Albion fended off multiple bids then from Fulham and a bid from Crystal Palace in this summer’s transfer window.

Hughton said: “Right the way through, even at a difficult time last year, he’s been excellent. He trains well every day.

“He’s a good lad, he wants to learn, and he is getting a level of consistency in his game that is very much helping the team.

“He’s a good footballer for a centre-half, so you’ve always got a chance he will score. I’m really delighted with his progress.”