Brighton and Lewis Dunk decision explained as Fabian Hurzeler makes bold Newcastle call

Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk remains on sidelines for the Seagulls.

Dunk, 34, served a two-match suspension for collecting 10 bookings this season.

He was available for selection for last week's 3-0 win against Chelsea but French defender Olivier Boscagli kept his place.

Boscagli played a key role in the clean sheet against the Blues and quite rightly retains his spot to face Newcastle at St James Park. Dunk is on the bench.

Elsewhere, head coach resisted the urge to tinker and made just one change, with Danny Welbeck returning to the starting XI in place of Georginio.

Team line-ups

Newcastle XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Tonali, Murphy, Osula, Willock. Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Hall, Wissa, Gordon, Barnes, Elanga, Woltemade, Ramsey.

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, van Hecke, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gross, Baleba, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Mitoma, Welbeck. Subs: Steele, Julio, Dunk, Rutter, Kostoulas, Ayari, De Cuyper, O'Riley, Vetlman.

Push for Europe

Brighton are sixth in the table and are pushing for European qualification. A Champions League spot remains a possibility but they are also well in the mix for a Europa League place.

Hurzeler’s men have won six of their last eight Premier League matches and another good performance and result at St James’ Park will boost their hopes further.

The race is extremely though with Bournemouth, Brentford, Chelsea and Fulham also pushing the Seagulls.

Albion will have three matches to go after the match at Newcastle. Next Saturday they welcome relegated Wolves to the Amex Stadium before a trip to Leeds United.

Brighton’s final match is at home to Manchester United on May 24.

Hurzeler on Europe

“We are definitely full of confidence but we also have a lot of respect for Newcastle because they have a great squad with great individual quality.

“Especially in their stadium they play with such an intensity and energy with the crowd behind them. It will be a loud, intense game.

“So that's why we have to stick to our principles, we have to go there with the belief to win this game, we have to understand there will be a lot of work to do.

“We have to suffer, we have to play with intensity too. We have to stop their individual quality and then we want to go there and dominate this game, play our game.

“Then we know that we have a chance to win it.”