Classy Brighton defender tipped to make European Championships squad this summer

Joel Veltman has proved to be a reliable and trusted member of Graham Potter's first team squad

Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster have arguably been Albion's best defenders this season while Ben White, who has also been utilised in midfield, has made the step up to the Premier League appear easy.

Dunk and Webster remain a little way down the pecking order for a place in Gareth Southgate's England squad, while this summer's delayed championships will likely arrive too soon for White - who is surely an England international of the future.

But it's Albion's reliable Dutchman Joel Veltman who could be flying the flag for Brighton this summer as Dublin, Glasgow and London will be among 12 Euro 2020 hosts for the 24-team tournament which will be staged between June 11 and July 11.

Veltman has proved a sound acquisition for Brighton following his bargain £900,000 summer arrival from Ajax and has made 14 Premier League appearances.

The versatile defender, who has 27 caps for country, has featured at centre back, right back and also right wing back for Graham Potter's team.

While he does not have the blistering pace of a Tariq Lamptey, Veltman has more than proved his worth and was excellent for Brighton during their vital win at Leeds last weekend.

Dutch football expert Elko Born now believes Veltman will take his place in the Dutch team who will compete in Group C, alongside Ukraine, Austria and North Macedonia.

"I think there's a pretty good chance he'll get picked for the Euros because he has a close connection to Frank de Boer," Born said.

"He's also capable of playing at centre-back as well as right-back, which is always very useful at a tournament.

"It won't be an unpopular decision, he'll be seen as a decent addition to the squad (just not a first XI player).

"Plus, he's pretty experienced now (with Premier League experience to boot)."

"People were pretty surprised to see him picked for the Dutch side. Most people ascribed his selection to his closeness with [manager] Frank de Boer - who he liked working with at Ajax," he said.