Fabian Hürzeler navigates a growing injury crisis as Femi Azeez nears a debut and Georginio Rutter returns for Brighton’s high-stakes clash against the winless Sky Blues.
Brighton and Hove Albion face their second away trip in the Premier League this weekend, as the Seagulls take on newly promoted Coventry City.
As they say, a good old 'potential banana skin' for Albion, who tend to struggle against lesser opponents in the Premier League.
Fabian Hürzeler has confirmed who will and won't be available ahead of this weekend...
Brighton Team News In Full:
- Femi Azeez could be available after completing training today. The new £12.5 million winger will be eager to make his debut, as Albion have struggled to create chances on the wings.
- Georginio Rutter should be available 'unless anything goes wrong'. Hürzeler confirmed that the Frenchman is close to returning to the Seagulls' side.
- Zadok Yohanna's injury has been confirmed to be a minor knock by the Albion head coach, as exclusively revealed last week in Brighton Roundtable. Yohanna went to London for a scan last week, but it is nothing serious. Hürzeler says he is 'getting up to the intensity' of the Premier League.
- Kaoru Mitoma should return after the international break. The Japanese winger returned to training last week and is close to returning after sustaining a hamstring injury against Wolves at the end of last season. Mitoma devastatingly missed the World Cup just weeks before he was due to travel.
- Yankuba Minteh, Stefano Tzimas, Jack Hinshelwood, Mats Wieffer, and Evan Ferguson all remain out with longer-term injuries. I wonder when we will get to see Tzimas again?
How is the squad looking?
Overall, the squad isn't in the best stead at this stage of the season, especially when considering the fact that Albion will have to play more games than usual with the addition of the Europa Conference League.
These early stages will be key for Hürzeler to learn how to manage the minutes of his very young side, especially with the exodus of experience during the summer transfer window. Without underestimating Coventry, who will provide a test despite a poor start to the season.
The Sky Blues have lost all three games since their return to the top flight, perhaps most disappointingly to Hull City at home.
It will be nice to face former Seagull Carl Rushworth, who completed his permanent move to the West Midlands after a successful loan spell last season. Rushworth was sold for up to £30 million, but he does have a form of 'buy-back' clause in his contract if he performs well, and Albion wish to bring him back to the Amex.
