ALBION award winners Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk have been hailed as "totally immense".

Club ambassador Steve Sidwell believes the Seagulls could be fending off summer interest in the central defensive duo.

Duffy was crowned player of the season on Sunday night ahead of Dunk, who retained the players' player accolade.

Former team-mate turned assistant under-16s coach and TV pundit Sidwell told The Argus: "They have been totally immense. They have been the busiest players in our team this year and they have dealt with it.

"Nine times out of ten They have put their bodies on the line. The biggest compliment I can pay them is they love defending.

"The modern day defender likes to get on the ball, likes to get forward. They can do that, no doubt about that, but their bread and butter is defending. That's what they get paid to do, to shut the door.

"They have done well this year. It has been highlighted and well documented and other teams out there struggling (defensively) could require their services.

"But it's down to the club to see where they want to go. You want to keep your best players, of course. But it's all in the off-season. They'll deal with that one when we close this chapter."

The pair have been together since Republic of Ireland international Duffy teamed up with Brighton-born youth product and England cap Dunk two seasons ago from Blackburn Rovers.

They have underpinned Albion's promotion and probable second season safety in the Premier League.

Sidwell, who co-hosted the awards night, said: "They are solid and that's the chemistry they've had as soon as Duffers walked through the door. They've hit it off.

"On the pitch but off the pitch as well, which is key. You look at so many partnerships down the years, strikers like Yorke and Cole, people like that.

"When you've got that chemistry, that bond and you socialise outside of football - they are great muckers as well - and you take that onto the pitch that gets you through games, wins you points. That leadership, that camaraderie spreads throughout the team.

"You've got two big soldiers there, two big warriors, and when they shout it will go through the spine of that team.

"Fair play to them, they fully deserve their awards. Hopefully they'll do that last little bit and get us over the line."