Lewis Dunk could be about to hand Fabian Hurzeler a big selection decision.

Or maybe not as the skipper returns from injury.

Dunk has trained this week ahead of Albion’s game at home to Southampton.

He could come straight back into the team.

That is one of the calls Hurzeler potentially has to make.

There were moments as he spoke about it at his press conference yesterday morning that an immediate return seemed obvious.

But there were others when one wondered whether Jan Paul van Hecke and Igor, both of whom deserve to keep their places, would remain as the centre-backs against Saints.

One certainty is that Hurzeler likes his options – and welcomes that level of reassurance should any of the three suffer any sort of setback in the coming weeks.

It is five weeks now since we spoke in a press conference about Dunk’s 250th Premier League start, which should have been against Wolves.

Injury in the warm-up to that game left him on 249 and it felt like his presence was missed late that afternoon as Wolves grabbed a draw.

But van Hecke and Igor have grown as a pairing and earned huge praise for their storm-proof display at Bournemouth last Saturday.

Suddenly it almost feels like an immediate return for Dunk is not a no-brainer. Or maybe it still is.

Hurzeler said: “He is my captain. And he is captain for a long time now and he is a player of big quality.

“It is very important to also see his role and what he gives to the team. We should never under-estimate this.

“Of course, Igor and JP, they are doing great jobs so far and that gives us competition in the training.

“Lewis is a very important player for me.

“He helps the team, he helps me, he has great experience and knows what to do to be successful in the Premier League.

“Now we have a lot of games and I’m sure there will be several options to change the formation and the players who are playing together.

“Igor and Lewis, Lewis and JP, Lewis, JP and Igor.

“It’s an option that they can all play together.

“I love the way they are all back and they are all in great shape.

“Now we will see how fast Lewis is back in the team, get him re-integrated.

“But it is clear he is my captain and he’s one of the most important players in the team for me and he will help us to be successful.”