Fabian Huerzeler has backed “unbelievable leader” Adam Webster – and said he would love to invite critics to see him working at the training ground.

The centre-back accepted responsibility for Chelsea’s first goal as Albion lost 4-2 last Saturday, leading to a hostile response on X, formerly Twitter.

He could continue in the Seagulls line-up when they face Tottenham on Sunday (4.30pm) in the absence of injured Jan Paul van Hecke.

Head coach Huerzeler said: “People who criticise him or text him in critical things on social media, I think we should invite them here and they should have an experience day with Adam Webster, how professional this guy is, how helpful this guy is, how supportive, what a great leader he is.

“And I think we should see the whole situation. He didn’t play many games so far, especially not in the Premier League.

“Of course, he played in the Carabao Cup, but not in the Premier League. And then he gets his chance and he came in and I think mistakes happen and there will be always mistakes, otherwise there won’t be any goals.

“He made an easy mistake. He knows it, but I think we shouldn’t judge the player and the person behind after doing one easy mistake because I see the whole context and I see the person behind this player and he’s an unbelievable player for us.

“He’s an unbelievable leader for us. He’s so supportive with team-mates. He is so helpful for his team-mates and he has had great games for this club.

“I will protect him always and I will give him the belief he needs and the trust he needs. And I think I don’t need to talk about the easy mistakes by him because in the end he knows it on his own.

“And I think he’s mentally strong enough to pass away these mistakes and these things.”

“In the end for development, it’s also important to experience bad things because if you only experience positive things, you can’t develop yourself and it’s part of life, doing mistakes.

“He has the belief from me, from my whole coaching staff and from his team-mates and I’m very happy to have him here in the team.”

Igor is also a contender for a defensive berth after doing well as sub at Stamford Bridge while Joel Veltman is likely to return at right-back after illness.