Brightonvs.Chelsea

The Seagulls are still having to cope without Jason Steele (shoulder), Igor Julio (hamstring), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), James Milner (thigh) and Solly March (muscle) as they all continue to recover from injury.

Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that this weekend's game might come too soon for Mats Wieffer (thigh), although he has returned to training, while Carlos Baleba, Yasin Ayari (both muscle) and Pervis Estupinan (unspecified) are all doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.

The Brighton boss will likely consider making changes, where he can, to his starting lineup following last weekend's humbling 7-0 Premier League loss at Nottingham Forest, but Bart Verbruggen is expected to retain his spot between the sticks.

New signing Eiran Cashin is eligible to make his debut after he missed Derby County's third round penalty-shootout loss to Leyton Orient last month with a hamstring injury. The 23-year-old is a contender to play alongside captain Lewis Dunk at centre-back.

Hurzeler's decision to play with just one recognised centre-midfielder, Jack Hinshelwood, against Forest did not pay off, so January signing Diego Gomez and Matt O'Riley will both be pushing to start on Saturday, while one of Joao Pedro or Georginio Rutter could operate in the number 10 role.

Simon Adingra and Brajan Gruda will compete with Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh for a place on the flanks, while Danny Welbeck could lead the line once again, unless Pedro is moved into the centre-forward position.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Cashin, Lamptey; O'Riley, Hinshelwood; Adingra, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck

Written by

Oliver Thomas