SHANE DUFFY has been told there is a seat with extra legroom booked for him on his national team’s plane.

The Albion centre-back hopes to recover from a calf injury in time to play for the Republic of Ireland at the end of the week.

He is working with the Seagulls’ medical staff and would love to face Georgia in Tbilisi on Saturday or Switzerland in Geneva next Tuesday.

Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has thanked Albion for their support and has been kept fully informed.

He told a press conference yesterday afternoon: “I’ve just had a text message from Shane.

“He’s been out on the grass, he’s feeling good, he’s going to do all the tests and he’s hoping he’s fit.

“He said, ‘If I’m still selected, I definitely want to be there.’ “I said, ‘You are still selected, we definitely want you here, the plane leaves at two o’clock on Thursday, we’ll keep you a seat with extra leg room and don’t be late.’ That was my message to him.”

Duffy has made better progress than expected from the injury suffered against Aston Villa two weeks ago in the Carabao Cup.

Asked whether the defender would make the trip, McCarthy said: “I don’t know. We’re here on Monday and the flight leaves on Thursday.

“That will be determined by him and Brighton, not be me.”

Ireland head off still sitting at the top of the group two points clear of Denmark and three better off than the Swiss, who have a game in hand.