SHANE DUFFY is surprised Albion team-mate Lewis Dunk has been overlooked by England boss Gareth Southgate.

But the Republic of Ireland centre-half believes his partner will eventually get the call from his country.

In-form Dunk has missed out on selection for showpiece friendlies at Wembley against Germany next Friday and Brazil four days later.

He will be marking Swansea’s on-loan striker Tammy Abraham at the Liberty Stadium tomorrow. Abraham has been promoted from the under-21s to the senior squad by Southgate with Chelsea colleague Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.

Duffy said: “I’m probably a little bit biased but, if I’m looking at the centre-halves, I think he is capable of being in that squad.

“It’s up to him now to keep that form up and it will be a matter of time.

“He can’t get too disappointed at the moment. It’s a big thing for him and I’ve no doubt in my mind he will be an England player.”

While Duffy will be a key figure for the Irish in their World Cup play-off over two legs against Denmark, Albion boss Chris Hughton says the selection of Abraham, Crystal Palace loan signing Loftus-Cheek and Gomez, along with Leicester’s Harry Maguire retaining his place in the squad, offers hope for Dunk, 26 later this month.

Hughton told The Argus: “I think it does, those who have made the squad on the merit of playing for their clubs, and Maguire is one having started the season very well and got his opportunity.

“So yes, the challenge is there for anybody who feels they might get an opportunity, but of course it has to be on the back of good club form.”

Abraham and versatile ex-Charlton defender Gomez were both top transfer targets for Albion in the summer.

Hughton said: “I’m really delighted for Joe. He’s another one it’s common knowledge we had an interest in and his parent club were very much aware of that one.

“There’s no guarantee you are going to get games, certainly with Joe at Liverpool, and he’s obviously had enough games for them to have liked what they have seen.

“The three of them have very much come through the system. It’s always pleasing for an association when you have players who make the senior squad who have come through the age groups.”

Southgate has six centre-half options against Germany and Brazil - Gomez, Maguire, Gary Cahill, John Stones, Phil Jones and the adaptable Eric Dier.

Others not picked include Michael Keane, who was injured for Everton’s last game, and Manchester United’s Chris Smalling.

Southgate, pulling no punches about Smalling’s omission, said: “We want to play in a certain way and the players I have brought in I want to see using the ball from the back and building it up in a certain way.

“And that is a style thing I want to look at. I know what Chris can do.

“There are a few young defenders that haven’t got as many games under their belt and I think it is a great chance to see what they can do and see if they can play at this level.”