Graham Potter has revealed why he believes Lewis Dunk's England ambitions are very much alive.

The Albion skipper saw another emerging centre-back leapfrog him this week when his former colleague Fikayo Tomori made Gareth Southgate’s latest squad.

Tyrone Mings was selected last time and Dunk remains out of the picture as he nears the first anniversary of his only cap, in a friendly against the USA.

Potter has been impressed by Dunk, who turns 28 next month, but reckons his best is still yet to come.

The Seagulls head coach said: “It’s Gareth’s responsibility to select the right players at the right time.

“From my perspective, Lewis has been great to work with.

“I think there is more to come from him as well.

“Sometimes players develop and hit their peak later than others.

“He is one who is maybe a bit later.

“We are looking forward to working with him for the next few years because I think he can be a really top Premier League defender.”

Asked in what areas Dunk can develop, Potter said: “It’s everything from his pass selection to his decisions around when to defend tight and when to drop off.

“All these things but I think he is the type of guy who wants to learn, wants to get better, wants to improve. We have to help him with that.

“If you think you are at your max, then you are on your way down “The game catches up with you pretty quickly.

“He is like everybody, he makes his mistakes and can do things better but wants to respond the next day and wants to learn and improve.”

Harry Kane has scored on both his Premier League visits to the Amex and will be a focus of attention for Albion’s back three.

But Potter is aware Spurs will have plenty of potential threats.

He said: “It’s not just Harry Kane. I am sure Mauricio Pochettino would say the same “It’s not a one-person team and a one-person attacking unit with Tottenham.

“You don’t reach the Champions League final with just one guy.

“They have others – Son, Lamela, Eriksson, Moura to name a few - so it is about as a unit defending well against an attacking unit that is really impressive.”

Albion are likely to go with a back three of Dunk, Adam Webster and Dan Burn again today.

Shane Duffy is not available for the bench due to a calf injury.

But Leon Balogun, who has been struggling with tightness in the hip area, is available.

The Nigeria defender could be part of the matchday 18.

Balogun has not played in the Premier League since the 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal on Boxing Day last year.

But he looked at home in Potter’s system during the recent Carabao Cup tie at Bristol Rovers.

The Albion boss said: “He has trained the last few days and has looked good and we are happy to have in the squad.

“From what I have seen, he is an intelligent footballer.”

Ezequiel Schelotto returned to the bench at Chelsea last Saturday.