Albion will not rush Alexis Mac Allister back after his World Cup exploits.

The midfielder and his Argentina colleagues are due to be greeted as national heroes in Buenos Aires today after their success in Qatar.

Mac Allister will also be keen to spend time with family and friends in his home province of La Pampa if possible.

Albion chief executive and deputy chairman Paul Barber said: “Alexis can’t wait to show the medal to the players and staff, and I think that shows what sort of special character he is.

“But it’s going to be a special few days in Buenos Aires and he and the Argentina squad deserve to celebrate that in their own country.”

A contact close to Mac Allister said: “There’s no way the players won’t come back to celebrate.

“The country is a madness at the moment and the people are waiting for them.”

Albion go to Charlton tomorrow in the Carabao Cup, a competition in which Mac Allister did not feature before the World Cup.

 

It would appear highly unlikely he would be at Southampton on Boxing Day for the resumption of Premier League action.

The Seagulls will be backed by around 6,000 fans at tomorrow night’s fourth round tie.

De Zerbi could give some insight to his selection plans for The Valley when he talks to the media this afternoon.

He is also expected to update on Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster, both of whom left the recent friendly with Aston Villa during the first half.