Leeds vs Brighton: Fabian Hurzeler picks Kaoru Mitoma replacement after World Cup dream ended; £14m man returns to Albion squad
Fabian Hurzeler has been forced to make one game to his Brighton team, as they look to secure European qualification with a win at Leeds United.
Mitoma, who suffered a hamstring injury during the 3-0 win against Wolves, will not feature for Albion again this season. The Japan forward will also miss the World Cup this summer.
Joel Veltman is the man chosen to replace the Brighton talisman.
Veltman’s compatriot, Mats Wieffer is not quite ready for a return to action, having recently struggled with an ankle issue.
Meanwhile, Diego Gomez has recovered from a knee injury – sustained in the 2-2 draw at Tottenham – and is among the substitutes.
The Paraguay international sustained a knee injury in the 2-2 draw at Tottenham and missed the Chelsea and Newcastle matches.
The issue was not as bad as first feared and Gomez’s agent correctly predicted that he should be back before the season ends. The 23-year-old will also ne available for Paraguay’s World Cup campaign this summer.
“The agent is right,” Hurzeler said, ahead of Albion’s clash against Newcastle.
“Not always are the agents right, but in this case, definitely right yes.”
Gomez has played a variety of midfield roles and netted five times from 30 top flight appearances.
Hurzeler added: “Very happy. One of the best news from last week. When you see that a player has to come away from the game through injury and you immediately see his face and his concerns and his bad emotions, it's something that influences me.”
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Van Hecke, Minteh, Hinshelwood, Baleba, Welbeck, Kadioglu, De Cuyper, Gross, Veltman.
Subs: Steele, March, Rutter, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Gomez, Ayari, O'Riley