Albion skipper Lewis Dunk has been hailed as better than Harry Maguire as he hopes for an England call.

Dean Hammond, a predecessor of Dunk wearing the Seagulls armband, says he would love to know Gareth Southgate’s thinking in terms of selection.

But he is confident Dunk’s red card last Sunday will not have counted against him with the England boss.

Hammond keeps a close eye on Albion as well as his other former clubs Leicester, where Maguire previously starred, and Southampton.

He told the Football, The Albion And Three podcast: “I would take Lewis all day long.

“It’s a big statement, a bold statement but I think he’s better than Maguire.

“I think he’s better than Dier.

“I’ve played with Lewis, I’ve watched him a lot.

“I think he has everything. I think he just needs that opportunity to play in the England team and be given his chance.”

 

 

Dunk was in imperious form at Molineux until he pulled back Fabio Silva and was shown red.

Hammond added: “I don’t think it will ruin his chances.

ALBION'S DISMAL RECORD WITHOUT LEWIS DUNK

“Gareth Southgate was a footballer himself. Played at the highest level, played for England.

“Everyone makes mistakes. He won’t judge him on one sending-off.

“It will be whether he was in his plans or in his thoughts before that.

“It will be interesting.

“Obviously Gareth Southgate was a centre-back himself.

“He knows the position very well and there is a reason, in his opinion, why he is not picking Lewis.

“I’d love to know that because his performances have been outstanding for a consistently long period of time.”