Brighton & Hove Albion have received positive news on summer signing Maxim De Cuyper, whose knee injury against Bournemouth is not as severe as first feared.
The 24-year-old Belgian left-back joined from Club Brugge this summer and has quickly established himself as a starter under Fabian Hürzeler, featuring in all four Premier League matches so far.
However, his afternoon at the Vitality Stadium was cut short when he was forced off in the 24th minute, shortly after Alex Scott opened the scoring for the hosts. Replaced by Ferdi Kadıoğlu, there were immediate fears that De Cuyper could face a long spell on the sidelines.
Scan results bring relief
According to Het Nieuwsblad, medical scans have confirmed there is “no serious damage” to De Cuyper’s knee. The update is being seen as a “relief” for the player himself, Brighton, and the Belgian national team, who had been concerned about losing him for October’s internationals.
The full-back is not expected to face a long absence and will now focus on recovery ahead of this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs match in doubt
While De Cuyper is keen to make himself available for selection at the Amex on Saturday, the report stresses it is “not certain” he will be fit in time. Hürzeler will likely make a late call depending on his progress in training.
Maxim De Cuyper season snapshot (2025/26)
| Stat | De Cuyper |
|---|---|
| Premier League Appearances | 4 |
| Starts | 4 |
| Minutes Played | ~320 |
| Injury Status | Knee issue – no serious damage, doubtful vs Spurs |
source: Het Nieuwsblad – 15 September 2025
Analyst verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William said Brighton can breathe a sigh of relief:
“Maxim De Cuyper’s start at Brighton has been encouraging, and losing him long-term would have been a real setback. The fact scans show no major damage is huge — both for the club and for Belgium. Even if he misses Spurs, this is a short-term problem, not a season-defining one.”
Key insights
- De Cuyper limped off after 24 minutes vs Bournemouth with a knee problem.
- Scans revealed no serious damage, ruling out a long-term absence.
- The Belgian full-back may still miss Brighton’s clash with Spurs this weekend.
- His recovery will be monitored closely with the October international break looming.
What’s next for Brighton and De Cuyper
Brighton face Tottenham in a key early-season fixture, with Fabian Hürzeler weighing whether to risk De Cuyper or turn again to Kadıoğlu. Longer-term, the Seagulls can take encouragement that their new signing will be available for the majority of the campaign.
👉 Should Brighton risk De Cuyper against Spurs or give him more time to recover fully?
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