Albion will have their fingers crossed for Shane Duffy as he leads his national team into battle.

The Seagulls centre-back has spoken of his pride in captaining the Republic of Ireland in their decisive Euro 2020 qualifier against Denmark tonight.

But those back at his club will also be fervently hoping he comes through fit and well.

Albion are already without the injured Adam Webster and banned Lewis Dunk for the visit of Leicester – and Jamie Vardy – on Saturday.

Duffy was rested by the Republic when they played New Zealand in a friendly on Thursday.

But he will be in the heat of an eagerly-awaited showdown in Dublin tonight.

He said of being captain: “It hasn’t really sunk in yet. It’s a huge honour and something to be excited about. I can’t let it really affect me just come on, be the same and just take it in my stride really.

“What difference does it make? None really.

“If I didn’t have the armband on, I’d class myself as a leader anyway in the changing room.

“It’s a big day. My family will be very proud and stuff like that but I don’t think I can change much anyway. Don’t expect me to run through ten players!”

Duffy takes the armband in the absence of banned Seamus Coleman.

He added: “They don’t need me telling them that this is a big game.

“It’s just maybe little details, making sure everyone is switched on, stuff like that, and making sure we are ready and we know what we are in for.

“We stick together out there, no matter if someone is having a bad game or if someone is making a mistake.”

Albion pair Leandro Trossard and Aaron Connolly have withdrawn from international squads and the club will be keen to see others come home in good shape.

That includes Steven Alzate, who made his Colombia debut off the bench against Peru at the weekend.

Colombia’s next friendly, versus Ecuador in New Jersey, is not until 1am on Wednesday, our time.