Soccer-Wright backs Brighton defender Dunk for England call-up

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Brighton and Hove Albion defender Lewis Dunk's strong performances in the Premier League could lead to an international call-up, former England striker Ian Wright has said.

The form of Dunk and his Irish central defensive partner Shane Duffy have been crucial to Brighton's climb to 12th in the league after nine games.

"They (England) are starting to talk about Dunk as someone who could maybe, if he carries on what he's been doing, be an inclusion," Wright, who won 33 caps for England in the 1990s, told BBC Radio.

"It's not something I'd be too adverse to because I've seen him and haven't seen anyone block as much. The last person was John Terry and, of course, there was Martin Keown as well."

Dunk has not represented England at any level but Duffy made his Ireland debut in 2014 and has 15 caps for Martin O'Neill's side.

Brighton host 10th-placed Southampton in a south coast derby on Sunday.

England, who have qualified for next year's World Cup in Russia, face Germany and Brazil in friendlies next month. (Reporting by Aditi Prakash in Bengaluru, editing by Nick Mulvenney)