Brentfordvs.Brighton

The 24-year-old was forced to sit out last weekend's 2-2 stalemate with Leicester City on account of his suspension, having been dismissed in the chaotic loss to Crystal Palace two gameweeks ago.

Van Hecke was one of 10 missing Seagulls against the Foxes, but he could be one of three to return this weekend, as Kaoru Mitoma (heel) and Joel Veltman (ankle) are also pushing to come back into the fray.

Veltman appears to be the least likely to be passed fit, though, so Jack Hinshelwood ought to continue at right-back, while Van Hecke will no doubt return alongside Lewis Dunk centrally.

Carlos Baleba acted as an emergency centre-half against Leicester, but the highly-rated 21-year-old should now be moved forward back into his familiar midfield slot, most likely alongside Yasin Ayari as Matt O'Riley makes way.

Mitoma's heel problem ought to heal in time for the weekend, so Simon Adingra's place in the side could be at risk as the former joins Yankuba Minteh, Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck in the attacking quartet.

James Milner (thigh), Jason Steele (shoulder), Tariq Lamptey (ankle), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), Adam Webster (thigh), Georginio Rutter (ankle) and Igor Julio (thigh) will all watch on from the sidelines again.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck

Written by

Ben Knapton