Albion skipper and FA Cup matchwinner Andrew Crofts has received the backing of England captain John Terry.

Seagulls boss Gus Poyet spoke to Terry and other friends at Chelsea about Crofts when he became manager.

He made the midfielder captain and Crofts celebrated keeping the armband for good with the only goal at Torquay on Saturday to clinch Albion’s place in the fourth round.

Poyet revealed: “I found out about him from a few players I contacted at Chelsea when I was coming here. He was with John Terry at Chelsea and I saw straight away in training what he could do.

“You have different kinds of captains. Some are loud and impressive, other people lead by example. Crofty is always seven-and-a-half out of ten.

“That is something special he brings to the club and he has responded. People had doubts about giving so much responsibility to him. He has proved most of them wrong, because he has been outstanding.”

Crofts’ header from a Gary Dicker corner 13 minutes from time was his fourth goal in 11 games under Poyet.

The former Gillingham powerhouse said: “He (Poyet) was obviously a great player and he has done well where ever he has gone. Hopefully I can keep repaying him.

“I knew JT when I was at Chelsea as a kid. It’s great to see how well he is doing but it is great to have the gaffer here. We want to keep building to where we want to be, because the club is going forward.”

Poyet praised the return to the centre of defence of deposed captain Adam Virgo, who helped Albion to a second clean sheet out of three.

“I was very impressed and I am very pleased as well, because he has been a professional all the way,” said Poyet.

Adam El-Abd, ruled out on Saturday by injury, is expected to be sidelined from the defence for at least three weeks with a stress fracture of the right foot.