Georginio Rutter absence explained for Brighton vs Leeds United as £30m ace starts
Brighton v Leeds United team news at the Amex Stadium
Brighton will once again be without their star striker Georginio Rutter.
The former Leeds United man - who joined Brighton for £40m in 2024 - is struggling with a small issue and missed last weekend's 4-3 loss at Chelsea and the second leg of Albion's Uefa Conference League win against Tromso.
Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler seemed quite optimistic in yesterday’s press conference that Georginio would return in time to face his former club.
But the Premier League clash has arrived too soon for the Frenchman, who remains a popular figure with the Leeds United fans.
Kostoulas leads the attack
Greek teenager Charalampos Kostoulas will once again lead the line in Georginio's absence, with new striker Promise Daivd on the bench following his summer arrival from Union SG.
Elsewhere, Bart Verbruggen keeps his place between the sticks despite conceding four goals at Stamford Bridge. Jason Steele remains on the bench.
It looks a though Ferdi Kadioglu will operate at right back in the absence of the injured Mats Wieffer and Olivier Boscagli is deployed as left full back.
£50m record signing Luka Vuskovic partners Lewis Dunk at the heart of the defence.
Yasin Ayari missed the loss at Chelsea but returns to the midfield having recovered from his small issue. He partners the ever-reliable Pascal Gross in the middle of the park.
Albion's play anywhere midfielder Diego Gomez looks as though he will be on the right wing with Maxim De Cuyper on the left flank.
Malick Yalcouye, who impressed on his Premier League debut at Chelsea last week, keeps his spot in the No 10 role and should play just in behind Kostoulas.
Yalcouye was a surprise admission from Brighton's Conference League squad that was announced last week.
Brighton and Leeds XIs
Brighton: Verbruggen, Vuskovic, Dunk, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gross, Gomez, De Cuyper, Kostoulas, Yalcouye, Ayari.
Subs: Steele, Hadjam, Struijk, Promise, Andres, Osman, Costinha, O'Riley, Oriola
Leeds: Trafford; Justin, Muharemovic, Elvedi; Bogle, Ampadu, Tanaka, Stach, Gudmundsson; Okafor, Calvert-Lewin.
Subs: Zetterer, Bard, Bijol, Longstaff, Aaronson, Wilson, James, Bahoya, Nmecha.