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Chris Hughton staying out of debate on whether Lewis Dunk should be in England squad

Lewis Dunk signed a new five-year deal at Brighton on Thursday
Image: Lewis Dunk was overlooked in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad

Chris Hughton has heaped praise on Lewis Dunk, but has refused to enter the debate over whether the Brighton defender should have been named in the England squad.

Centre-back Dunk has been one of the stand-out performers in Brighton's impressive start to the Premier League season, and had been tipped to be included in the England squad named by Gareth Southgate for the friendlies against Germany and Brazil.

But despite his early season form, Dunk was overlooked by Southgate - and Hughton was reluctant to be drawn on another manager's decision-making.

Lewis Dunk gives chase as Gabriel Jesus surges forward at the AMEX Stadium
Image: Dunk has never played for his country, although he was once included in an England under-21 squad

He said: "When it comes to international selection for any of our players, that's the responsibility of those managers.

"All I can talk about is how well Lewis has done for us. He's been outstanding and credit to Lewis because, even before my time here, he's got better and better as each season has gone.

"Even some of the parts of his game which he needed to improve on, he's gone and done that.

"He's done it through hard work himself. He's been excellent."

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Dunk started for Brighton in their 1-0 win at Swansea on Saturday, and helped to keep Tammy Abraham off the scoresheet - a player who was given his first call-up by Southgate on Thursday.

Glenn Murray scored the winner to give Brighton successive away wins in the top flight for the first time since 1983.

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WATCH: Highlights of Swansea 0-1 Brighton

Brighton are currently eighth in the table after 11 games in what is their first season in the Premier League, something which has obviously pleased Hughton.

He said: "Apart from Brighton getting to the Premier League, the other thing I'm delighted about is some of our players showing they can do it at this level.

"We've been very good for the last two seasons and I've seen players improve their games to a really good standard.

"At the moment we're getting results due to the levels we're playing at. But anything short of that level means we can get beat quite comfortably.

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