Brighton & Hove Albion's Premier League survival hopes rocked as key man is ruled out for season

The Seagulls starlet, who signed from Chelsea in January 2020, got the season off to a flying start, with his exhilarating performances surging down the right flank capturing the attention of fans and pundits alike.

However, a hamstring tear suffered in mid-December saw the 20-year-old's season stopped in its tracks, and now The Athletic report that the full-back underwent surgery last weekend, which will see him ruled out of action for the rest of the campaign.

The good news is that the player looks likely to resume training over the coming weeks, however, he will not be risked in any further fixtures this season.

Brighton are currently on a run of three straight defeats that have seen them slump to 17th place in the table, and head into their final eleven games of the season level on points with Scott Parker s resurgent Fulham, who defeated Liverpool 1-0 yesterday afternoon to move within touching distance of escaping the relegation zone.

With tough fixtures against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and West Ham United still to come this season, the Seagulls will be acutely aware of their perilous position in the league table.

In Lamptey's absence, his versatile understudy Joel Veltman has performed solidly enough, helping his side pick up a clean sheet in their goalless draw with Aston Villa last month, and scoring in the subsequent 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace.