Brighton trio missing from squad at Sunderland as Fabian Hurzeler makes four changes

Joining the Cameroon international on the sidelines is Kaoru Mitoma and Charalampos Kostoulas.

Mitoma injured his ankle in the first half of Albion’s 1-0 home loss to Arsenal last week. The Japan international was seen on crutches after the match and hobbling badly in a protective boot.

“We have to see how training is going today,” said Hurzeler, in his pre-match press conference.

“We have to wait for training to finish today and we have to make a decision.

“It’s not as bad. The scan shows no injury and it is just a question of the pain and if he can handle it or not.

“We made a scan and everything is fine. Therefore it is just a painful thing he suffered and he has to overcome this pain.”

Winger Solly March has returned as he missed the the Arsenal match with a 'small muscle issue'.

Brighton also received a boost as skipper Lewis Dunk is fit to return, after a minor knee issue ruled ruled him out of the 1-0 loss to Arsenal. He starts and makes his 500th appearance for the Seagulls.

James Milner, Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck are all back in the team.

Regi Le Bris team team are 11th in the table, three points ahead of the Seagulls who are currently in 14th. A win for Brighton would see Brighton leap-frog Sunderland but first Hurzeler says they have to manage the crowd.

“I didn't play at their stadium, I just heard how energetic it can be, how loud it can be.

“I just spoke about our stadium and our environment, and I think they also have a great energy, a great atmosphere.

“It’s an atmosphere that pushes their team for the wins. Therefore it will be a big challenge to stay calm in the right moments, to not get influenced by the crowd.”

Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Wieffer, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu, Milner, Gross, Gomez, Hinshelwood, Minteh, Welbeck.

Subs: Steele, March, Rutter, Boscagli, Ayari, De Cuyper, O'Riley, Veltman, Howell.