Brightonvs.Everton

The biggest casualty could be captain Lewis Dunk, who has picked up a small muscle problem, and is not at 100% fitness heading into this encounter.

That could leave Hurzeler with just two fit central defenders in Adam Webster and Jan Paul van Hecke, with Igor out for the season after undergoing hamstring surgery.

Matt O'Riley is also facing a race to be fit in time with a minor problem, while backup goalkeeper Jason Steele will miss the next few months after shoulder surgery.

There will be no return this weekend for Evan Ferguson in attack either, meaning he will remain on the sidelines alongside Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner and Mats Wieffer.

The good news is that both Jack Hinshelwood and Brajan Gruda are in contention, after making positive strides following their respective returns to training this week.

Gruda's availability will be well-timed, with the club allowing Julio Enciso to move to Ipswich Town on loan this week, but the German winger may not break back into the team, given the recent form of Yankuba Minteh.

On the opposite flank, Kaoru Mitoma is also on an excellent run of form, and became the all-time top Japanese goalscorer in Premier League history with his goal against Manchester United last weekend.

Mitoma also has the opportunity to become the first player from Japan to score in three successive PL games this weekend, and he has two career goals against Everton already.

After scoring off the bench at Old Trafford, Georginio Rutter will be pushing for a start up front over Danny Welbeck, but the experience of the veteran striker may see him get the nod against a strong defensive outfit in Everton.

Brighton fans were treated to a debut last weekend, as Diego Gomez made his maiden appearance for the club since arriving from Inter Miami, and they were his first minutes anywhere since being sent off for Paraguay against Bolivia in mid-November.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Veltman, Webster, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Joao Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck

Written by

Andrew Delaney