Fabian Hurzeler has provided updates on Kaoru Mitoma, Yankuba Minteh and Pascal Struijk as Brighton prepare to face Tromso in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday.
The Seagulls completed an unbeaten pre-season with a 1-0 victory over Bologna, but Hurzeler will enter the competitive campaign without several first-team players.
Carlos Baleba is currently sidelined with an ankle problem, while Minteh and Mitoma are also unavailable.
Hurzeler confirms Minteh facing weeks out
The most concerning update surrounds Yankuba Minteh, who is dealing with a leg injury and is set for an extended spell on the sidelines.
“With Minteh, he will even miss unfortunately for a longer period,” Hurzeler said. “It will be definitely for several weeks.”
There is more encouraging news regarding Mitoma, who has been recovering from a hamstring problem.
“Mitoma is getting closer,” Hurzeler confirmed after Jack Hinshelwood's goal secured victory over Bologna.
Brighton will nevertheless be without both wide players for Thursday's first leg in Norway.
Pascal Struijk closing in on Brighton return
Summer signing Pascal Struijk has missed Brighton's recent friendlies against Roma and Bologna while managing an unspecified injury.
The £18million arrival from Leeds United has now returned to training, although Thursday's European fixture could come too soon.
“He's training now, so he will be back in the squad hopefully next game,” Hurzeler told Sussex World.
Brighton's head coach is also increasingly settled on his preferred team after an unbeaten pre-season.
Hurzeler believes his squad retains the foundations established last season while the summer arrivals have added further options.
“Now the real season starts and it's up to us now to prove what we worked on in pre-season,” he said.
Key Points
- Brighton travel to Tromso on Thursday for their Conference League play-off first leg.
- Yankuba Minteh will be sidelined for several weeks with a leg injury.
- Kaoru Mitoma is getting closer to returning from his hamstring problem.
- Pascal Struijk has returned to training and could soon rejoin the squad.
- Carlos Baleba remains unavailable because of an ankle injury.
What's Next?
Brighton now turn their attention to Thursday's Conference League trip to Tromso before hosting Aston Villa in their Premier League opener on 23 August.
Hurzeler will hope Struijk and Mitoma continue progressing towards their returns, although Minteh is expected to remain unavailable for several weeks.
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