Brighton issue Evan Ferguson pre-season injury update and make Kaoru Mitoma statement

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said striker Evan Ferguson is "making daily progress" as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Ferguson, 21, underwent ankle surgery at the back end of last season as his season loan at Roma was cut short.

The Ireland international is expected to miss the start of the campaign as Brighton prepare for Conference League and Premier League football this season.

Ferguson focus after Welbeck exit

The fitness of Evan Ferguson comes in sharper focus after Danny Welbeck's move to Chelsea.

Brighton's Greek striker Stefanos Tzimas is also working his way back to fitness following an ACL injury he sustained against Aston Villa last term.

Tzimas, 20, is said to be closer to a return than Ferguson but as yet it's unclear if he will be fit for Brighton's two-legged Conference League play-off on August 20 and 27 and their first Premier League match against Aston Villa on August 23.

"Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson are in rehab," said Hurzeler speaking after Brighton's 4-3 friendly win against Strasbourg in Austria on Saturday.

"Stef is the closest but Ferguson is making daily progress.

Mitoma recovery

Another attacking injury concern for Brighton is Japan star Kaoru Mitoma.

The 29-year-old winger injured his hamstring late last season and missed the World Cup. His pre-season was further disrupted by car crash in Tokyo last month. Mitoma was unhurt but a female cyclist was injured and Mitoma is said to helping authorities with their investigations.

Hurzeler added: "(Kaoru) Mitoma has come back now from Japan where he started his rehab."

Brighton 4-3 Strasbourg

Albion scored all their goals from set pieces as they came from 2-0 down to beat Strasbourg 4-3 in a friendly in Vienna at the end of a week-long training camp.

The French side were two up inside 14 minutes before Pascal Gross converted a twice-taken penalty and laid on an equaliser for Olivier Boscagli from a free kick.

A corner headed in by substitute Eiran Cashin early in the second half completed the turnaround.

An additional 30 minutes at the end of the 90 was played to give players more game time and Ibrahim Osman scored Albion's second penalty after he was brought down to make it 4-2. Strasbourg got a late third.

Hurzeler said: “In the first minutes we took it a little bit too easy. I think we had the first action of the game where we played 20 passes, 25 passes.

“We almost finished with a goal, and then I thought the players had the mindset, Oh, this will be an easy game'.

“And I think we weren't that intense, but after we were 2-0 down they showed resilience, they reacted well and they played with much more intensity.

“I think in possession we were good. Out of possession, we definitely have to improve the little details, but we scored set-piece goals. We showed resilience. It was a good test in the end.”

Brighton vs Roma

Brighton’s next pre-season tune-up is against Serie A club Roma at the Amex Stadium on August 8. Their final warm-up is against Bologna at the Amex on August 15.