Brighton issue contract updates for Jan van Hecke and Kaoru Mitoma
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Brighton remain in "positive" contract talks with star players Jan Paul van Hecke and Kaoru Mitoma.
Both will have just 12 months remaining on their deals at the end of the season and this summer could be vital in the next steps of their careers.
Mitoma, 28, has shown glimpses of best form this season - including last Saturday's fine strike at Tottenham - but form and fitness issues have prevented him from delivering on a consistent basis.
The Japan international winger suffered with cramp in the later stages of the Tottenham match but is expected to be fit to face Chelsea at the Amex Stadium tomorrow.
Van Hecke, 25, has been a model of consistency at the back and the Dutch international has once again taken his game to a higher level this season.
He has been tipped as a future captain at Brighton by head coach Fabian Hurzeler but has also been linked with a summer move - with Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea all reportedly keen. Liverpool were also previously linked with Van Hecke.
"Still positive," said Hurzeler when asked how the contract talks are progressing ahead of Albion’s Tuesday night clash with Chelsea.
"Still in talks but also focusing on the things that are very important for the club and I think that's also the perspective from the player.
"They want to give their best for Brighton because they're fully committed, you can see it in every training session, you can see it in every performance that they give their best so therefore that's the main focus."
On Mitoma’s fitness ahead of Chelsea, Hurzeler added: “He's good, he just had some cramps. He felt a little bit in the warm-up but I think he had a very effective, short performance on the pitch.
“I liked him being on the pitch, scoring, helping us to get the equaliser, or set some good actions.
“So he just had some minor issues, he had a cramp and he will be available tomorrow.”