Ipswichvs.Brighton

A 4-0 win at Ipswich's East Anglian rivals Norwich City in the FA Cup on Saturday saw Hurzeler without many first-team regulars, including key man Joao Pedro in attack.

The Brazilian rolled his ankle in training and missed the fixture, and while Georginio Rutter took his place up front, the summer signing is also doubtful due to a knock here.

Fellow attacker Evan Ferguson remains out with an ankle injury, but Danny Welbeck was finally welcomed back to the squad at Norwich, following a frustrating festive period that was heavily disrupted with minor issues.

Rutter has filled in as a right-winger often this season, and Yankuba Minteh is also doubtful following the weekend, so Hurzeler is fortunate to have so many capable options in that area of the pitch.

One is Solly March, and after 14 months on the sidelines, he got his first goal since that devastating injury in 2023 against Norwich at the weekend, but youngster Brajan Gruda is set to be one who gets the nod out wide.

Hurzeler has further problems in defence though, where he has confirmed Igor will miss the rest of the season after undergoing hamstring surgery in the past week.

The Brighton boss did confirm that captain Lewis Dunk will return, but Tariq Lamptey is still doubtful due to illness and Ferdi Kadioglu remains sidelined with a foot injury, so Joel Veltman is set to start at right-back once more.

Brighton's injury problems do not end there though, because Jack Hinshelwood is still fighting to return to full fitness, while Mats Wieffer and James Milner will not be fit to start, meaning Yasin Ayari will likely partner Carlos Baleba in the engine room.

The Seagulls have added to the squad already this month, with Diego Gomez joining from Inter Miami, but after being on holiday following the conclusion of the MLS season, the new recruit is still building up his fitness, and will not be thrown in just yet.

Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:

Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Ayari; Gruda, Enciso, Mitoma; Welbeck

Written by

Andrew Delaney