Brighton transfer news - Graham Potter prepared to sell star players, Crystal Palace team news, predictions

Brighton and Hove Albion boss Graham Potter admits he's prepared to sell a star player - if it's the right deal for the club
Yves Bissouma has gained many admirers following his performances for Brighton in the Premier League this seasonYves Bissouma has gained many admirers following his performances for Brighton in the Premier League this season
Yves Bissouma has gained many admirers following his performances for Brighton in the Premier League this season

The likes of Yves Bissouma and Ben White have impressed for Albion this season and continue to be linked with big money deals away from the Amex Stadium.

Tariq Lamptey, who has been out the last two months with a hamstring injury, also has his admirers, while fine recent displays from Adam Webster have elevated him into the England conversation and no doubt made a few Premier League managers take note.

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But losing is big name player is not something Potter fears, he actually believes the right deal at the right time can help the club progress.

“In order for us to develop and grow, you have to have the confidence and ability to make a sale at the right time for the right price," said Potter.

“Everybody knows the football pyramid is what it is. It isn’t anything to be afraid of, it’s something to be proud of.

“But what you have to ensure is you carry on improving, otherwise it has a negative effect.

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“That’s where the challenge is but, for us to move forward, it is something we have to understand as a club.

“Otherwise, what happens is you stick with your players, the salaries increase and increase and then you’re hit with a point where your structures have gone awry.

“That process is something we have to be intelligent with but be brave enough to be able to understand why we’re doing it and always try to develop the club.”

Brighton vs Crystal Palace teams news

Brighton’s Alireza Jahanbakhsh is hoping to return to the squad for Palace at the Amex Stadium this evening

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Iran forward Jahanbakhsh (hamstring) has been sidelined since the FA Cup win against Newport last month and has missed the last nine matches.

Striker Danny Welbeck is also in contention to start having been used as a late substitute in the draws against Burnley and Aston Villa following his knee injury.

Adam Webster is unlikely to feature after sustaining an ankle injury in the recent draw at Burnley and fellow defender Tariq Lamptey, sidelined since December with a hamstring problem, is definitely out.

Florin Andone is working his way back from a serious knee injury and Solly March had knee surgery earlier this month and will be out for 11 weeks.

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José Izquierdo has not played in the first team for more than 18 months and continues his recovery from a knee injury. He was a surprise inclusion in the matchday squad for the 1-0 win against Tottenham but involvement against Palace remains unlikely.

Crystal Palace’s injury crisis has shown no signs of abating, with boss Roy Hodgson admitting two further players picked up a knock against Burnley last time out.

However, in a slight boost for the Eagles, James McCarthy returned to training on Thursday, having not featured since January 30.

Wilfried Zaha continues to struggle with the hamstring injury he sustained against Newcastle, and Hodgson would not be drawn on a return date for the talismanic forward.

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Hodgson said: “He (Zaha) is still suffering from the injury, there’s no question of that and the doctors in particular and the physios are very anxious not to put dates on people so they would be very angry with me if I was to suggest dates for when he might return.

Predicted score

Brighton are on a decent run of form and have kept five clean sheets in their last six matches.

Goals however remain an issue and I expect Roy Hodgson's Palace team, who have lost their previous two, to be extremely compact and tough to break down.

Brighton have the most draws in the Premier League this season with 11 but I just fancy them to nick this one by the odd goal.

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I like Alexis Mac Allister in the attacking midfield role and the Argentina international links well with Leo Trossard and Neal Maupay.

Brighton also have the added incentive of leapfrogging their rivals in the table and should have just enough to breakthrough against a Palace team who will seriously miss the creative talents of the injured Wilf Zaha.

Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Palace.

Brighton predicted line-up: Sanchez; White, Dunk Burn; Veltman, Bissouma, Gross, Mac Allister, Alzate; Trossard, Maupay.

Crystal Palace predicted line-up: Guaita; Ward, Dann, Cahill, Van Aanholt; Townsend, Kouyate, Riedewald, Eze; Benteke, Mateta.