Peter Ward has told Lewis Dunk he won’t be another Albion one-cap wonder.
The former Seagulls striker is convinced Dunk will add to his lone England appearance, which came a year ago this week against the USA.
Ward, whose England career lasted eight minutes, believes the current skipper deserves to return to Gareth Southgate’s side.
And he reckons the best thing Dunk can do in the meantime is put it to the back of his mind and continue to shine in the Premier League.
Goldstone legend Ward told The Argus: “I was there at Wembley for that game against the United States.
“He started off a bit shaky but I thought he did well and he does deserve another cap, definitely.
“He is playing well, he is a leader. He gets stuck in and he is relentless.”
Asked what his message to Dunk would be as he hopes to add that second cap, Ward said: “Don’t worry about it. It will come, definitely.”
Ward went on as an 82nd-minute substitute during a friendly away to Australia in 1980.
Three players have since been introduced later in matches for their only caps.
But englandfootballonline.com still has Ward’s international career as the shortest ever by an England player when injury time is taken into account.
Peter Ward at Old Trafford on Sunday
Ward said: “Ron Greenwood was manager and he said ‘That’s the first of many’ in the changing room after.
“But it wasn’t to be and it’s just one of those things you take. You got a cap and you’re happy with it.
“I never thought about it until 30 years later when everyone says you got the shortest amount of time.
“I say, ‘That’s all right, at least I got a cap'.”
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