Brighton & Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton has dismissed reports linking defender Lewis Dunk with Newcastle United.

The Magpies are understood to be tracking the 23-year-old, whose current deal at the Amex Stadium expires in summer 2018.

Dunk missed Brighton's first-round win over Southend United in the League Cup on Tuesday, but he is expected to return for their trip to Fulham in the Championship this weekend.

"As far as I know, it is speculation," Hughton is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. "He is a good player and sometimes that will happen. It is not the first time and it won't be the last. We can only deal with it that way as he is a Brighton player."

Dunk made his Brighton debut in 2010 after graduating from the club's youth academy.