Brighton make Kaoru Mitoma admission after Sunderland absence
Brighton and Hove Albion latest team and injury news
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler expects to have Kaoru Mitoma available next week to face Liverpool.
The Japan international winger missed the trip to Sunderland due to an ankle injury sustained in the 1-0 home loss to Arsenal.
Mitoma was spotted after the match in a protective boot and hobbling badly on crutches.
Scans revealed no major concerns and Hurzeler - speaking after Brighton's 1-0 win at Sunderland - said: "It is not the same [as Mitoma's previously ankle injury] it's another issue.
“It is nothing serious, he went for a scan and the scan showed there was no injury it was just a thing of managing the pain and it was just too painful for him to play today. I think we will see him back next week.
Hurzeler then added: "He tried to training [earlier this week] but he was not able to do 100 per cent movements and therefore he was not able to play today.
Carlos Baleba’s small issue
Midfielder Carlos Baleba was also a notable absentee but Hurzeler expects to have Baleba and Mitoma back in time to face Liverpool at the Amex Stadium next Saturday.
The head coach explained: "No, he was not 100 per cent ready to play this game. It was nothing big and he will defintalty be back next week. A little issue.”
The win at Sunderland, thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s bizarre second half goal, is Albion’s third win from their last four matches.
It moves Brighton to 11th in the Premier League, with eight fixtures left to play.
Huzeler: We managed Sunderland well
Hurzeler admitted Brighton were not at their best but was delighted with how they managed the match.
He said: “To be quite honest, I think that we didn’t play better football than we played in the weeks before when we didn’t get the results, it is just now we managed the key moments of the game better.
“In certain moments we might be a little bit more lucky than we were before because I think overall the performances in the last weeks are really good, we are always there to compete for the win, always there to bring our principles on the pitch.
“Today is another prime example of what it means to manage the game well, to manage the key moments good, to stick together. Therefore, I’m pleased with the result today, it’s another very important three points for us.”