'I don't have great news' - Two major new injury blows for Brighton ahead of West Ham
Team news: Brighton and Hove Albion vs West Ham from the Amex Stadium - Sunday 2pm
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler delivered a gloomy fitness update ahead of their Premier League clash against West Ham.
Young striker Stefanos Tzimas is set for lengthy spell on the sidelines after he hobbled off with knee issue just 20 minutes into his first top flight start against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
It’s a huge blow for Brighton as Tzimas was just getting up to speed after his £22m summer arrival. The Greek striker scored his first Premier League goal last weekend in the 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Albion’s star winger Kaoru Mitoma, who has not featured since the 3-1 win at Chelsea, has also suffered a “setback” as he attempts to return from an ankle injury.
"I don't have great news today,” said Hurzeler in his pre-West Ham press conference.
“Stefanos [Tzimas] we have to further assess him, but at the moment, it looks like a long-term injury, so another long-term injury for us this season.
“Not quite lucky with them, but we will find solutions, and we wish Stefanos a quick recovery and all the best. I would say months [on how long he will be out].”
Kaoru Mitoma suffers a ‘setback’
"[Kaoru Mitoma] He had a small setback during the training session, not a big one, so hopefully he can train today and then for sure we try to make him as quick as possible an option for us.
“He's still an option, so let's see if he's able to train today. He had his comeback to our training sessions.”
Brighton will also await an update for key midfielder Yasin Ayari. The Sweden international missed the 4-3 midweek loss to Aston Villa with an unspecified “small” injury.
"I hope that he [Yasin Ayari] is available. On Sunday, it's not quite sure yet, but there's definitely a chance that he's available.”
Georginio and Tommy Watson will also be assessed while James Milner (muscular), Solly March (knee) and Adam Webster (knee) are ruled out.