A collective sigh of relief swept through Brighton & Hove Albion as scans revealed Yankuba Minteh’s injury wasn’t as serious as initially feared. The 21-year-old winger, forced off during a hard-fought 2-2 draw with West Ham, sparked concern with a suspected thigh problem.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler delivered encouraging news on Friday, confirming the scan showed only a dead leg. Minteh is now poised to participate in training, opening the door for a potential start against Burnley this Saturday. The team will carefully assess his condition during the session before making a final decision.
Brighton’s positive injury updates didn’t stop there. Veteran James Milner and striker Danny Welbeck, who both featured prominently against West Ham – Welbeck even scoring and missing a penalty – have also been declared fit and available for selection.
However, Mats Wieffer faces a short period on the sidelines. The midfielder is dealing with a minor toe issue, ruling him out of the Burnley clash, though Hurzeler expressed optimism that it isn’t a long-term concern. The rest of the squad appears to be in good health, offering Hurzeler a strong selection pool.
The anticipation surrounding Pascal Gross’s potential return to the club is building. Hurzeler openly acknowledged his admiration for the midfielder, currently at Borussia Dortmund, and revealed a pre-existing relationship. He emphasized the club’s previous attempts to retain Gross when he initially departed.
Hurzeler highlighted Gross’s significant impact on the team, praising his ability to both score goals and create opportunities. He also acknowledged the team’s successful adaptation in Gross’s absence, with younger players stepping up and seizing their chances.
Despite the availability of replacements, Hurzeler made it clear that Gross remains a highly valued player. He maintained consistent contact with the midfielder, recognizing his quality and the positive influence he had during his previous time with the club.
