ALBION captain Lewis Dunk is reportedly out for at least the rest of the year.

The defender missed the weekend match against Southampton after picking up a knee injury in the 1-1 draw with West Ham last Wednesday.

Manager Graham Potter had to rely on Shane Duffy and Dan Burn as a defensive partnership due to Dunk and Adam Webster's absence, who is also currently out injured.

The club are still waiting for a full diagnosis on the captain's injury so they know when he will be available again.

The Argus: Brighton and Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk is reportedly out for the year with injuryBrighton and Hove Albion captain Lewis Dunk is reportedly out for the year with injury

However, according to the Athletic, Dunk will be missing from action until at least the new year.

This means that he will not be part of Albion's matches against Tottenham, Wolves, Manchester United, Brentford and Chelsea.

If accurate, Potter will have to rely on Dan Burn, Joel Veltman and Shane Duffy to make up most of the defence.

Although, Duffy will not be in the match against Tottenham as he is suspended after collecting his fifth yellow card of the season against the Saints.

Veltman will also have to be careful as he is only one more booking away from a suspension.

Further up the pitch Albion are still waiting on the return of Adam Lallana, Danny Welbeck, Jeremy Sarmiento and Leandro Trossard.

The Belgian forward's elbow injury, however, is not as bad as first thought.