Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk is suspended - here's who plays at centre back against Sunderland
Brighton vs Sunderland in the Premier League from the Amex Stadium - Saturday, 3pm
The Lewis Dunk and Jan Paul van Hecke defensive partnership has been one of the constants from Brighton's inconsistent season.
Dunk, 34, has started 15 of Albion's 16 Premier League matches so far, while Van Hecke has started all 16 and played every minute. The only match Dunk didn’t start was against Brentford on November 22, where he came on at halftime.
Dunk has totalled 1,395 minutes of top flight action and Van Hecke, 25, is just ahead with 1,440 minutes.
The duo have formed a decent partnership this season but that will come to a temporary halt this Saturday against Sunderland at the Amex Stadium as Dunk serves a one-match suspension.
The Brighton man, who has clocked up 501 appearances for his club, picked up his fifth booking of the campaign in the 2-0 loss at Liverpool last Saturday and now gets Christmas off. Dunk will be available for selection once again to face Arsenal at the Emirates on December 27.
Van Hecke, barring any unknown injuries, will start against Sunderland - and may even captain the team in Dunk's absence - will have another defender to play alongside.
Hurzeler does have the option to go three at back but if he does stick to a back four against the Black Cats, here's the best options.
Olivier Boscagli
The Frenchman arrived from PSV last summer on a free and has been used sparingly so far as he challenges Dunk and Van Hecke for minutes. The 28-year-old has made two Premier League appearances and his first and only start was against Brentford, where he was booked and replaced by Dunk at halftime. He has made every matchday squad so far but the form and fitness of Dunk and Van Hecke has been a problem for him.
Diego Coppola
Don't rule out a first start of the season for the Italian international. Coppola, 21, joined from Verona last summer and has the potential to be Dunk's long term replacement. The 6ft 4in defender has made three PL appearances from the bench so far. He has less experience than Boscagli but offers a greater physical presence.
Joel Veltman
The other main alternative is to use the experienced Dutch defender as a central defender. Veltman is mainly used as a right back these days but the former Ajax man is more than capable of playing in the middle. Certainly an option as Mats Wieffer seems to have nailed down the right back role at the moment.
Verdict
My hunch is that Boscagli will start alongside Van Hecke against Sunderland. It's a big chance for the Frenchman who must be extremely frustrated with his lack of game time this term.
Last season, by contrast, he made 43 appearances for PSV, with one goal and an impressive six assists. Boscagli has a reputation as a ball playing centre back and it'll be good to see him get another chance.
Spare a thought also for injured defender Adam Webster, who continues his rehab from an ACL problem sustained in pre-season.