'Will hurt him' - Kaoru Mitoma's worst fear confirmed as Japan make World Cup decision

The 28-year-old injured his hamstring in the 3-0 home win against Wolves and was forced off after 58 minutes.

After the match, Hurzeler said he was uncertain about the extent of the damage.

He then confirmed on Thursday that Mitoma would miss Albion’s final two matches of the season – and the club would ‘be in touch with the Japan federation’.

Manager Hajime Moriyasu named his squad on Friday.

Confirming that Mitoma will miss out on the World Cup, he said Japan have lost a ‘major presence’, adding: "This will hurt him more than it hurts anyone.

"I hope once he gets over this, he will recover as quickly as possible and get back to playing with total freedom."

Japan, who sit in Group F, will start their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on June 14.

Meanwhile, Brighton, who are seventh in the Premier League and pushing for European qualification, are in action this Sunday at Leeds United, before their final match of the season against Manchester United at the Amex Stadium on May 24.

Head coach Hurzeler, speaking ahead of the trip to Leeds, said: “He [Mitoma] will be out. He will miss the next two games.

“Regarding the World Cup I'm sure yet. We will be in touch with the Japan federation.

“It is a big blow. We have a big squad and we have showed this season we can replace important players. We see it as a chance to stick together.

“Everyone in this team can have an impact. It's a blow but an opportunity.”

The German, 33, said everyone has to be ‘patient with this injury’, adding: “We cannot give a clear schedule.

“He will miss our two games. That is sad for Kaoru, He was in good form and had a big impact on our performances.”

“He need to take care of his privacy and his health.”

Japan squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Tomoki Hayakawa (Kashima Antlers), Keisuke Osako (Sanfrecce Hiroshima), Aya Suzuka (Parma Calcio).

Defenders: Yuto Nagatomo (FC Tokyo), Shogo Taniguchi (Sint-Truiden), Ko Itakura (Ajax), Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Feyenoord), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax), Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich), Ayumu Seko (Le Havre AC), Yukinari Sugawara (Werder Bremen), Junosuke Suzuki (FC Copenhagen).

Midfielders: Wataru Endo (Liverpool), Junya Ito (Genk), Daichi Kamada (Crystal Palace), Koki Ogawa (NEC Nijmegen), Daizen Maeda (Celtic), Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt), Ao Tanaka (Leeds United), Kaishu Sano (Mainz 05), Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)

Forwards: Ayase Ueda (Feyenoord), Keito Nakamura (Stade de Reims), Ito Suzuki (SC Freiburg), Kento Shiode (Wolfsburg), Keisuke Goto (Sint-Truiden).