Shane Duffy has enjoyed a rest day with the Republic of Ireland – on Albion's advice.

The centre-back was kept out of training by Irish boss Mick McCarthy yesterday.

But he is expected to play against Georgia in tomorrow’s Euro 2020 qualifier.

Duffy has recovered from a calf strain ahead of schedule and trained for three days with the Seagulls this week before heading to Dublin.

Thursday would have been a rest day in his club training programme and McCarthy, who has been impressed by Albion's co-operative approach, stuck by that.

Duffy is back on the training pitch today ahead of the Group D clash in Tbilisi tomorrow (2pm BST).

McCarthy said: "He's fine. I wouldn't let him train yesterday. I told him he couldn't train and he said, 'Why?', and I said, 'Because I said so'.

"I'd been asked by Brighton - he'd done three days in a row, which is fair enough and it was a recovery day, as they now call it, and he's done that.

"But he'll be training today, he's fine. He wanted to train yesterday, but the club - and I have to say they've been very good about it, letting him come.

“If he's fit, he comes anyway, but I would say thank you to Brighton because they've been good about it."