Brighton vs Tottenham team news: Key trio injured and Jose Mourinho reveals Harry Kane alternative
Graham Potter's men will once again miss the skills and pace of Tariq Lamptey who continues to struggle with a hamstring injury.
Lamptey has not featured for Brighton since the 0-0 draw at Fulham on December 16. The 20-year-old, who scored his first goal for Albion in the 2-1 loss at Tottenham last Novermber, is expected to be out for another three weeks.
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Hide AdAlbion will also be without experienced striker and former Arsenal man Danny Welbeck for Sunday's visit of Spurs. Welbeck, who made his Brighton debut as a second half sub in the defeat at Tottenham, is struggling with a knee injury.
His attacking guile has been greatly missed of late and the 30-year-old has not played since the 2-2 draw against West Ham on December 27. The former England striker has scored twice in nine appearances for Albion and Potter hopes to have him available once more next week.
Ali Jahanbakhsh is the third casualty as the Iranian continues to struggle with a hamstring injury sustained during the FA Cup penalty shootout win at Newport.
Jahanbakhsh has also been heavily linked with a loan move away from the Amex this January transfer window but time appears to running out to conclude a deal.
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Hide AdThe attacker, who joined Brighton for £17m in 2018, is said to be unsure about a potential loan to Holland or dropping down to the Championship.
Striker Aaron Connolly is however available and fully recovered from his hamstring injury picked up in the 3-3 draw against Wolves. Connolly, 21, was an unused substitute in Wednesday's 0-0 stalemate against Fulham and will be eager to feature against Spurs on Sunday.
Adam Lallana will be assessed ahead of the match. The 32-year-old midfielder was named in the matchday squad last time out but Potter later admitted that Lallana was not fit enough to play against Fulham.
"There’s nothing from the [Fulham] game, no fresh injuries," said Potter. "Danny [Welbeck] is getting close, hopefully next week he will be training or be available we think.
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Hide Ad"We will see how he goes in the final stages of his rehab. Tariq [Lamptey] is still two or three weeks away I would guess – so that’s obviously disappointing for us."
Tottenham also have injury problems of their own with striker Harry Kane ruled out after injuring his left ankle during the 3-1 midweek loss against Champions Liverpool.
Kane's absence clearly blunts Tottenham's attacking threat but Potter feels Jose Mourinho and his squad will adapt.
"It would be unfair of me to say they have got another Harry Kane in their group, because he’s a top player, the captain, the leader," said Potter.
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Hide Ad"It’s hard to replace him, they will have to find a different solution of course and the squad that Tottenham have, the skill that Tottenham have, they will find that solution.
"But it won’t be a Harry Kane mark 2, that’s for sure."
Dele Alli, linked with a move to Paris St Germain, is out with a tendon injury. Sergio Reguilon (muscle) and Giovani Lo Celso (hamstring) will again miss out.
But Mourinho can take comfort as he has striker Carlos Vinicius at his disposal as well as Gareth Bale, while Son, Lamela and Bergwijn are all fit.
“One thing is to have like last season three or four attacking players all injured at the same time. And Another thing is to have just Harry Kane.
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Hide Ad“Because of course we have Carlos Vinicius, Steven Bergwijn, Lucas Moura, Erik Lamela, Gareth Bale and if I forgot anyone, I apologise for that. Of course it’s a different situation, because we have attacking players.”
Last season: Tottenham 2 Brighton 1, Brighton 3 Tottenham 0
Last five league matches: Brighton L D L W D; Tottenham D W D W L
Top scorers (all competitions): Neal Maupay (Brighton) 7; Harry Kane (Tottenham) 19
Match odds: H 12-5 D 12-5 A 23-20
Referee: Peter Bankes (Merseyside)