Brighton & Hove Albion could be without up to seven players for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.
Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Igor Julio (thigh), James Milner (hamstring) and Jason Steele (shoulder) all remain sidelined, while captain Lewis Dunk (rib), Joel Veltman (knock) and Matt O’Riley (knee) are all closing in on a return and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
One player who is available to return is Tariq Lamptey who has served a one-match suspension and is in contention to start at right-back. Pervis Estupinian is set to continue at left-back, while Jan Paul van Hecke – who scored his first PL goal in last weekend’s 2-1 win over Fulham – is set to continue in central defence alongside Adam Webster, or Dunk if fit.
Yasin Ayari assisted Van Hecke last time out and he could retain his place in centre-midfield alongside Carlos Baleba, although Jack Hinshelwood could revert to a central role if Lamptey starts after playing at right-back against Fulham, while January signing Diego Gomez is another midfield option at Fabian Hurzeler‘s disposal.
Yankuba Minteh and Karou Mitoma have impressed on the flanks in recent weeks and are unlikely to be replaced in the first XI by either Solly March or Simon Adingra. Brajan Gruda, meanwhile, was left out of last weekend’s matchday squad for unknown reasons and it remains to be seen if he will return on Saturday.
Danny Welbeck, who has never scored a PL goal against Man City in 20 attempts, will be pushing for a recall in attack, but Hurzeler may decide to stick with Georginio Rutter in behind Joao Pedro, who has scored in each of his last three league matches including a 98th-minute winning penalty last weekend.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Lamptey, Van Hecke, Webster, Estupinan; Hinshelwood, Baleba; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; Pedro
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