As Brighton & Hove Albion enter into the second half of the Premier League season, their campaign reflects a mix of highs, including wins over Newcastle United and Manchester United, and lows, notably the 6-1 defeat to Aston Villa.
Roberto De Zerbi's team eyes European qualification and Europa League success, but the journey is tempered by the challenge of keeping the squad injury-free, a concern gaining prominence as they navigate a demanding season.
The Seagulls continue to grapple with a significant injury list as they enter the new year. Notably, Simon Adingra and Kaoru Mitoma, recently called up to national squads for the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup, join a growing list of long-term absentees.
Joel Veltman, sidelined before Christmas, adds to the defensive concerns. The Italian manager's previous announcement ruled out Ansu Fati and Tariq Lamptey for an extended period, both injured during the Nottingham Forest clash in November.
Further compounding the challenges, Solly March and Julio Enciso remain sidelined with prolonged spells on the injury list.
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Brighton's latest Injury news and expected return dates
Simon Adingra
Adingra has been grappling with a hamstring issue since late December, keeping him on the sidelines since the 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on December 21.
Despite his unavailability for Ivory Coast's Africa Cup of Nations opener against Guinea-Bissau, the forward has received a call-up to the national squad.
The timeline for his return to the squad remains uncertain, with potential international duties adding complexity to his recovery journey.
Kaoru Mitoma
The winger faced a setback in late December, with manager De Zerbi estimating a six-week absence due to a severe ankle injury. However, Japan's decision to include him in the Asian Cup squad, ending in less than a month, has added complexity to his recovery timeline.
Whether Mitoma will participate for the Samurai Blue remains uncertain, raising questions about the potential impact on his return to Brighton. The head coach expressed surprise at the inclusion, highlighting the challenge of balancing international commitments with the 26-year-old's injury recovery.
Joel Veltman
The Dutchman has been contending with a knee injury sustained in the match against Arsenal last month. While De Zerbi downplayed the severity, indicating it's "not so big," Veltman is anticipated to miss a couple of months. The current projection suggests a mid-February comeback as the defender undergoes rehabilitation for his recovery.
Ansu Fati
Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati has been absent from action since suffering a thigh injury in Brighton's 3-2 triumph against Nottingham Forest back in November.
Despite manager De Zerbi's initial inability to pinpoint a return date, indications suggest the Spaniard will have completed a three-month spell on the sidelines by the time of his expected comeback, tentatively set for late February.
Tariq Lamptey
Ghanaian full-back in only his second league start of the season against Nottingham Forest, faced a setback as he was forced off in the first half due to a thigh injury.
The Seagull's medical staff later disclosed the unfortunate news, indicating that Lamptey is anticipated to endure a substantial period on the sidelines.
The 23-year-old, familiar with injury challenges in recent seasons, is once again confronted with a significant spell away from active competition.
Solly March
Brighton's encounter with Manchester City took a somber turn as Solly March suffered a concerning knee injury in the closing moments of the game. The severity of the incident prompted the 29-year-old to be stretchered off the pitch, raising immediate concerns about the extent of the damage.
Post-match, De Zerbi delivered disheartening news, revealing, "Solly unfortunately has sustained a significant and crucial injury. His absence will be prolonged."
With the extent of the injury casting doubt on March's availability for the remainder of the season, Brighton will be hoping for positive updates on his recovery.
Julio Enciso
Enciso faced a setback during a late August training session, enduring "trauma to his left knee" that has sidelined him since. The Italian coach delivering the unfortunate news in the immediate aftermath, confirmed a prolonged absence for the talented Paraguayan.
Despite the initial blow, De Zerbi shared a more hopeful update a few days later, revealing, "I had a video call with my staff, and Julio was in good spirits. While he's understandably saddened, Julio's deep love for football helps him comprehend the normality of injuries in the sport."
As the 19-year-old undergoes a challenging recovery journey, the focus shifts towards resilience and the determination to overcome adversity.
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Brighton suspension list and return dates vs Wolves
As Brighton hit the midway point of the season, the team enjoys a reassuring absence of immediate suspension concerns, courtesy of the extended bookings threshold. The return of Lewis Dunk to the squad for the Wolves match follows a suspension incurred during the West Ham United draw.
Looking forward, the potential for suspension arises with five more yellow cards, while a more significant challenge involves steering clear of a two-match ban by reaching ten yellow cards before matchweek 32.
Presently, the 32-year-old defender is the closest to this threshold with five yellows, while Billy Gilmour, Kaoru Mitoma, and Facundo Buonanotte each tally four.
With a clean slate for the rest of the squad, the Seagulls enter the second half of the season with a poised and optimistic stance amid the upcoming challenges.
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