ENGLAND boss Gareth Southgate has been urged to stick with Albion skipper Lewis Dunk.

Seagulls chief Chris Hughton believes Dunk emphasised his credentials again in the 2-1 win at arch rivals Crystal Palace.

Southgate names his squad on Wednesday for the European Championship qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Montenegro later this month.

Dunk received his first call-up in October for matches in Spain and Croatia. He was retained in November for games against the US and away to Croatia and made his debut in the friendly win over the Americans at Wembley.

Dunk was outstanding at Selhurst Park, including a block to deny Wilfried Zaha a first-half equaliser.

Hughton said: “I thought he was very good. Both him and Shane (Duffy) needed to be. Anything less from our two centre-halves then I don’t know if we end up winning the game.

“They were put under a lot of pressure, a lot of balls in the box, they had to stay on their feet. I thought he (Dunky) defended particularly well.

“What got him the cap in the first place is what he has now. There wouldn’t be any player in the England manager’s plans that’s not going to be up and down.

“They are not all going to be brilliant every week. It comes with the territory. Dunky’s a centre-half and he is going to be tested in this division.

“I don’t think he has changed. He is still the same level of player as I have always seen him.

“There’s a lot of competition. If he is (selected) it’s brilliant for him and the club, if he’s not then it’s something for him to keep aiming for.”

Hughton enjoyed Dunk’s passionate celebrations after the final whistle at Selhurst Park.

He said: “What you have to remember is he is a local lad that has come through, so I suppose in some ways this fixture means perhaps more to him than it does everybody else.”