SHANE Duffy is on the threshold of club history for Albion as manager Chris Hughton keeps his fingers crossed over the fitness of several internationals for Saturday's trip to Newcastle.

Duffy is expected to start for the Republic of Ireland again in their Nations League clash against Wales in Dublin tonight (7.45pm).

It will be the central defender's 18th cap as an Albion player, creating a new record.

Duffy joined ex-Republic of Ireland stalwart Gerry Ryan and the Seagulls' former Northern Ireland winger Steve Penney on 17 caps in Saturday's 0-0 draw with Denmark.

Three of Duffy's Albion colleagues are in African Nations Cup qualifying action for their countries today.

Yves Bissouma is with Mali in Burundi this afternoon and Percy Tau with South Africa in the Seychelles.

Leon Balogun also has an away game this evening for Nigeria in Libya.

Alireza Jahanbakhsh has a home friendly for Iran against Bolivia (5pm).

Hughton is likely to be without Dutch international midfielder Davy Propper (ankle) for the Premier League resumption at Newcastle. He was hurt in the 1-0 home win over West Ham which forced him to withdraw from the Netherlands squad.

Dale Stephens, Pascal Gross and Martin Montoya all missed the Hammers victory and Gaetan Bong has been sidelined by injury from Cameroon's Africa Nations Cup fixture in Malawi today.