Albion No. 1 David Stockdale reckons Christian Walton is on course to become one of the top keepers in the country.

Stockdale is realistic enough to know his own chances of an international recall are remote.

He featured in the senior England squad three years ago when Fabio Capello was manager and he was with Saturday’s visitors Fulham in the Premier League.

Walton, meanwhile, has already established himself for England under-20s.

The Seagulls’ giant young understudy made an accomplished debut for Albion in their exit from the Capital One Cup at Spurs last month, with Stockdale ruled out by a broken finger which sidelined him for four games.

Walton also performed well in the Championship at home to Wigan and Blackburn Rovers before Stockdale’s return in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Norwich.

Stockdale told The Argus: “All the goalkeepers are good friends off the pitch. When we knew Christian was playing we backed him to the hilt.

“We knew what he could do and that’s why the manager put him in.

“He is going to turn into a very, very good goalkeeper, one of the best I think.”

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