LEWIS Dunk heads off on England duty after demonstrating for Albion why he could make his debut in Thursday’s Wembley friendly against the US.

Dunk scored his second goal in as many games early on and went on to produce another outstanding defensive display in the last-gasp defeat at Cardiff.

Manager Chris Hughton, reflecting on Dunk’s performance in Wales, declared: “If I’m looking at the reason why he has been called into the squad, that’s the reason why.

“I know he was in the last England squad but this is the first time he’s been called into the initial squad.

"For what he’s given us, not only this season, but also the progress he’s made.

“It’s a good time. At this moment, there are English centre-halves who are perhaps just getting that little bit older. Gomez is obviously a young one, Maguire – he’s with a good group of centre-halves.”

With Maguire injured, Dunk is vying with Gomez, John Stones and the recalled Michael Keane in Gareth Southgate’s starting line-up for the games against the US and Croatia in the Nations League on Sunday.

Hughton said: “Probably, at this moment, he is in his second squad. What he has to do is continue to learn via the experiences of being in the squad.

“Certainly that will add value to him with regard to his abilities, being involved in that elite group of players.

“For what he has given us, not only this season but over the seasons, he deserves it.”