EVEN MY DOG’S CALLED DROGBA

But Dunk’s not a Chelsea fan today

BRIGHTON defender and boyhood Chelsea fan Lewis Dunk grew up idolising John Terry, travelled to London to support them and even now has a dog named after Didier Drogba.

Yet on his first visit to Stamford Bridge as an opponent today, the 26-year- old will put his feelings to one side and ignore the urge to purchase a half-and-half scarf.

Brighton-born Dunk chose to support Chelsea because of Terry and the way he would put his body on the line. He is prepared to do the same today.

‘When that day comes I’m not a Chelsea fan,’ Dunk said. ‘I’ll go on the pitch and I want to win. It doesn’t matter if I’m a Chelsea fan or not, I want to win on that day.

‘ Growing up as a central defender, I just enjoyed watching Terry play, learning how he played and seeing how he played. That was the only reason really. I enjoyed watching him putting his body on the line and I’d like to think I do that.

‘My family dog’s named after Drogba,’ Dunk added. ‘He’s a legend of Chelsea. A cockerspaniel cross poodle so it doesn’t really suit Drogba!’

Asked whether his family and Didier will be at Stamford Bridge, Dunk said: ‘ They’ll be up there supporting me and I think they’ll be in the blue and white stripes, not the blue of Chelsea. The dog will probably be listening on the radio!’

And the half-and-half scarf? ‘No chance! My dad wouldn’t do that anyway.’

Brighton earned their first Premier League win in eight games against Watford on Saturday while Chelsea will look to bounce back from their 0-0 draw at Everton.

The last time Brighton beat Chelsea was in January 1933 in the FA Cup.

Dunk (right) is expecting Alvaro Morata to be a handful after the £60million striker was suspended for the trip to Everton.

‘He will be fresh,’ he said. ‘He’s a top striker, got good movement and is a good finisher so obviously it a tough one for us.’

Brighton’s Connor Goldson made his Premier League debut against Watford, nine months after undergoing heart surgery.

The 25-year- old is likely to drop to the bench with Dunk’s defensive partner Shane Duffy no longer suspended.

Meanwhile, Brighton will join the race to sign Liverpool’s Danny Ings on loan in January. Newcastle, Stoke and West Bromwich have also looked at Ings, with Liverpool ready to let him leave temporarily as he battles back to fitness after two serious knee surgeries. Since signing for Liverpool in June 2015, Ings has made only eight Premier

League outings.