Lewis Dunk’s England selection has been hailed as a triumph for Albion’s unsung heroes – by one of the men who knows him best.

The Brighton-born centre-back is heading to Rijeka with Gareth Southgate’s senior squad for Nations League action against Croatia.

They then move on to Seville to tackle Spain.

Many Albion fans have been calling for Dunk to be recognised for almost a year now.

That chance comes after Burnley defender James Tarkowski withdrew from the squad through injury.

Dunk’s fellow local boy and central defender Tommy Elphick last night told The Argus of his delight for his former team-mate.

The Argus:

Tommy Elphick and Lewis Dunk contest a header against FC United of Manchester

And he gave some insight into how the Seagulls have produced so many defenders.

Elphick was alongside Dunk when the latter made his senior debut in a 0-0 draw at MK Dons to close the 2009-10 season in League One.

Fellow youth team graduate Adam El-Abd was also in the back-line that day.

Elphick told The Argus: “I’m delighted for Dunky. I am sure he and his family are very proud.

“It’s also great for the academy at Brighton.

“There are a lot of good people and good coaches there who deserve a lot of credit.

“It puts the academy even more on the map.

“To produce their first full international is remarkable and a lot of credit goes to (former youth boss) Dean Wilkins, Vic Bragg and Martin Hinshelwood plus, of course, the lad himself.”

Elphick still recalls some aspects of Dunk’s senior debut in a game which saw Albion midfielder Diego Arismendi and MK’s Alex Rea sent off for a scuffle late in the first half.

He said: “Dunky was quite young and MK back in the day played with a bit of style so he had to be switched on.

“He took everything we told him on board and came through fine.

“He has got that great temperament and he has kept his feet on the floor, kept working hard and this is just an amazing achievement.”

Albion have specialised in producing defenders in recent seasons.

As well Dunk, Elphick and El-Abd, they have also seen Steve Cook, Grant Hall and Joel Lynch play Premier League or Championship football.

Dunk is now top of the lot after being picked by the national team.

Elphick puts a lot of Albion’s success with defenders down the years down to largely unheralded work by youth coaching staff.

He said: “I remember Dean Wilkins played a major part because he went into so much detail.

“Things like footwork, positioning, all sorts and they are lessons which are gold dust.

“That rubbed off on coaches like Vic Bragg and was carried on even when Dean left, “As defenders, we were in before everyone else so we could work on specific stuff.

“Hinsh was keen on getting us to know what defending is all about and that was never lost on us.

“Maybe all that is why Brighton have produced so many defenders.”

Dunk joins former Albion target Joe Gomez as well as Harry Maguire, John Stones and Kyle Walker as candidates for what tends to be a defensive three under Southgate.

For older fans, he will take memories flooding back to the days when Albion No.5 Steve Foster played three times for England, one of them at the 1982 World Cup.

Albion chairman Tony Bloom is among them.

Bloom said: “This is an extremely proud moment for Lewis and his family and, on behalf of everyone at the Albion, I would like to congratulate him on the call up.

“It is also a very proud moment for the club.

“Lewis has been with us since he was a schoolboy and we’ve seen his development at close hand.

“There are many people who have helped Lewis along the way who will be thrilled for him.

“I’m just about old enough to remember the last time an Albion player was called up to the senior squad, when Steve Foster went to the World Cup.

“It’s been a long time coming, but Lewis has shown that it’s possible to come through at Brighton and reach the very top.”