Brighton handed Solly March, Levi Colwill fitness boost ahead of Leeds United clash

March has been a standout performer for the Seagulls since De Zerbi took the reins at the Amex Stadium in September and is enjoying his best season in front of goal, contributing with five goals and four assists in 23 Premier League games.

The 28-year-old is understood to have been carrying a minor knock in recent weeks, and subsequently missed the FA Cup fifth-round win over Stoke City at the end of February.

However, March returned to the starting lineup in the 4-0 Premier League win over West Ham last weekend and played for 75 minutes before being replaced by Facundo Buonanotte.

De Zerbi has since provided a positive update on March's fitness, while also revealing that defender Levi Colwill has stepped up his recovery from a muscle problem and is in contention to be involved in Saturday's matchday squad.

Colwill has missed Brighton's last seven games across all competitions, but the Chelsea loanee played for the club's Under-21s in midweek and will be assessed in training ahead of the trip to Leeds.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, De Zerbi said: "Solly March and Levi Colwill will be on the list for tomorrow. Levi played with the Under-21s and I was there to watch - he looked good, I want to see how he is today."

De Zerbi has also confirmed that Tariq Lamptey will be assessed after the right-back was forced off in the 16th minute of Brighton's win over West Ham with a minor knee injury.

One surprise change to De Zerbi's starting lineup last weekend was between the sticks as Jason Steele was handed his first Premier League start of the season at the expense of Robert Sanchez.

Sanchez, who has kept only two clean sheets in his last 12 appearances, is set to begin on the substitutes' bench again on Saturday, with De Zerbi suggesting that the Spaniard needs to "improve" before reclaiming the number one jersey.

"I was honest with him [Robert Sanchez] and Jason. We are stronger because we have 20-22 players at the same level and the ability to show their quality. With the same motivation and ambition, we are stronger," the Italian told reporters as quoted by Sussex World.

"Jason is one of the 20 players in the squad and he is playing well, really well. Robert is too. But at this moment I think Jason can play better."

"One of the best relationships in the dressing room is with Robert Sanchez. I have to do my work and in this moment I prefer Jason, but only for our style of play. I think Robert can improve and needs to improve."

De Zerbi, who also played down rumours of taking the Tottenham Hotspur job at his press conference, will definitely be without two players for the trip to Elland Road, with Adam Lallana and Jakub Moder still recovering from respective muscle and knee injuries.

Brighton currently sit eighth in the Premier League table and could move into the top six with a victory over Leeds, who the Seagulls beat 1-0 at the Amex earlier this season.