Brighton & Hove Albion fans can expect Kaoru Mitoma to be fit and firing for Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.
The Japanese winger was forced to sit out last weekend’s 1-1 stalemate with Newcastle United due to a heel complaint, but head coach Fabian Hurzeler expressed hope that he would return imminently.
As a result, Mitoma could be given the green light to replace Simon Adingra on the left-hand side, while Yankuba Minteh will no doubt continue on the opposite flank after his opening goal versus the Magpies.
However, Joao Pedro must serve the third game of his three-match suspension, so Matt O’Riley may continue as the most advanced midfielder behind Danny Welbeck, who is one goal away from reaching double figures in the Premier League season.
Hurzeler opted for a Jack Hinshelwood and Carlos Baleba double pivot against the Magpies, but the former was replaced by Yasin Ayari midway through the second half last time out, and that change could now occur from the first whistle.
Mats Wieffer will surely be at risk of losing his place at right-back too; he was hauled off for Tariq Lamptey after just 54 minutes in the draw with Newcastle, but Joel Veltman could now return to his familiar role.
The Dutchman would join Lewis Dunk, Jan Paul van Hecke and Pervis Estupinan in front of Bart Verbruggen if that is the case, while James Milner (thigh), Georginio Rutter (ankle) and Ferdi Kadioglu (ankle) will play no part in this one.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, O’Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck
> Click here to see how Wolves could line up for this game
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