Albion prospect Lewis Dunk has revealed how he was clutched from the claws of arch rivals Crystal Palace.

Dunk was at Wimbledon as a schoolboy until they folded and moved to Milton Keynes.

The 18-year-old centre half told The Argus: “I was in school in Brighton at Varndean, so I was travelling up to Wimbledon.

“Then I was on trial at Crystal Palace but Martin Hinshelwood (director of football) rang me and said ‘we’ll sign you’.

“That saved all the travelling. I was still at school and I couldn’t keep travelling three times a week up to London, so I thought I would stay at Brighton at a good centre of excellence.”

Dunk makes his home debut against Woking in the FA Cup today after featuring in away games at MK Dons at the end of last season and Tranmere last month.

Albion host Torquay in the second round of the FA Youth Cup at Nyewood Lane, Bognor, on November 17 (7pm).