Graham Potter provides injury update for key Brighton midfielder

Albion return to top flight action when Arsenal visit the Amex Stadium on June 20. Potter's squad is almost at full strength as they prepare for their final nine matches of the campaign.

Colombian winger Jose Izquierdo remains the major casualty and has been out for the entire season with a serious knee problem. The other concern is midfielder Steven Alzate.

The Colombian international has been troubled by a groin problem and he was due for an operation during the the Premier League suspension.

His surgery was delayed however due to coronovirus and he is now expected to wait until the close season.

Alzate has been excellent in his breakthrough season for Albion and Potter last week tipped him and defender Dan Burn as his top performers this campaign.

"He is looking okay," said Potter. "We are having to manage him a little bit - just his load and manage him through this bit.

"He is probably not going to be able to play Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Wednesday or whatever it is.

"But we have to just take that into consideration and make sure he is able to play the time that he can and feel good but he is looking okay."

Potter also hopes to have Ezequiel Schelotto and Beram Kayal available for selection. Both players are out of contract this summer but are expected to agree to an extension that will see them through to the end of the season at least.

"That is something we are speaking about at the moment," Potter added. "The indication is that they want to stay and be part of what we are doing and finish off the season and then take further decisions at the end. Nothing to worry about."

Potter has been impressed with the quality displayed from his players in training and plans to ramp up preparations even further ahead of the Arsenal showdown. The players have been training at an empty Amex Stadium so they can get used to behind closed doors football.

They do not plan to play friendlies against other clubs before the Gunners match but will have semi-competitive in-house contests.

"We have got another in-house on Saturday," confirmed Potter. "We had an in-house the previous Saturday and a workout as well in the week.

"We have used it quite well. I’m happy with what we have done and the boys will be ready."

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