'Unfortunately' - Brighton explain Yankuba Minteh injury after absence vs Burnley
Brighton and Hove Albion latest team and injury news
Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh faces a battle to be fit in time to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.
Minteh suffered a “dead leg” during the 2-2 draw at West Ham on December 30 and then missed the 2-0 win against Burnley on Saturday.
The Gambian has been a key man for the Seagulls this season with three assists and one goal from his 19 appearances so far.
On Friday, head coach Fabian Hurzeler was optimistic Minteh would be fit to face the Clarets but the victory at the Amex Stadium arrived to soon for the 21-year-old.
Brighton, who are eighth in the Premier League table, travel to second placed Manchester City on Wednesday and they are swiftly back in the north west on Sunday to face Manchester United in the third round of the FA Cup.
"I wouldn't say a setback,” said Hurzeler when asked about Minteh’s fitness after the Burnley match.
“But he was just not 100 per cent fit. We had to make a decision there so unfortunately he was not able to play.”
Mats Wieffer has a toe issue
The Seagulls will also hope to have Mats Wieffer available as he has missed the last two matches with a toe injury. Experienced defender Joel Veltman has impressed in Wieffer’s absence.
Solly March continues to close in on a return following long-term knee issues but the match at City will likely arrive too soon. Adam Webster (knee) and Stefanos Tzimas (knee) are the long-term absentees, while Carlos Baleba is away on AFCON duty.
Baleba’s Cameroon are in round of 16 action tomorrow night against South Africa.
Brighton snap winless run
The win against Burnley snapped Brighton’s six-match run without a victory. It’s a win that was a relief for Hurzeler.
“Everyone was happy when we won,” said the German. “The run wasn't great, but we always stick together.
“We had good performances in this run, we had some not so good performances, but overall I think the effort from the players, the effort from the staff, how we work together, it's always good.
“It's always like we want to have it. And then I always emphasise that when you work hard, at one point you get what you deserve and that's what we have to keep doing.”