Fati set to boost Albion from bench: Brighton v Palace team news

Finally, some good news. In amongst despair at a quiet January transfer window multiplied by Robert De Zerbi airing his displeasure at a lack of midfield reinforcements, the Brighton team could be boosted by the return of Ansu Fati for the visit of Crystal Palace to the Amex.

The on loan Barcelona winger has not been seen since limping off early during the 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest at the end of November with a muscular problem.

Fati returned to full training last week. He was not though included in the Albion squad for either the 5-2 FA Cup win at Sheffield United or Tuesday night’s 4-0 thrashing by Luton Town.

But with another week of work under his belt at the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre under his belt, Fati looks set to be named on the bench for the big one against Palace.

“Ansu Fati can maybe come on the bench,” said De Zerbi in his Friday press conference. “I don’t know how much time he can play, tomorrow morning we can speak with the staff and make the right decision.”

A late decision will also be made on the involvement of Joao Pedro. The Albion’s top scorer was forced off in the second half at Luton with a knock picked up making a pretty unnecessary tackle when the Hatters were already four goals to the good and the game over.

Losing Pedro would be a significant blow to Brighton at a time when they have failed to score in three consecutive Premier League matches.

Although not a winger, the Brazilian has found himself used out wide in the absence of Fati, Simon Adingra, Kaoru Mitoma and Solly March.

The acute lack of width the Seagulls are already suffering from would be come even more profound without Pedro.

Presumably, Evan Ferugson would come into the XI with Danny Welbeck playing a little deeper. De Zerbi has gone with that setup on several occasions in the past with no real success, it seeming to negate the threat offered by both forwards as individuals.

The other confirmed team news ahead of Brighton v Palace is James Milner being ruled out. The veteran lasted only 15 minutes against Luton.

Jack Hinshelwood is most likely to take over at right back. Tariq Lamptey can probably be ruled out of starting; De Zerbi is taking a similarly cautious approach with the full back as he is now doing with Fati.

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Approximately 30 seconds into trying to pick a starting XI on the FanHub team predictor and I was absolutely befuddled over what to do without Pedro or any wingers.

Little wonder De Zerbi seemed so agitated when speaking to the press ahead of the Palace game, which included those comments about the transfer window?

“I don’t know,” said De Zerbi when asked if he was happy with his squad. “We will see in the next games. It is not my business, the transfer market. My focus is on the pitch, we will see in the future.”

De Zerbi later added: “I think we are two less two players in the midfield. I spoke with the club but they decided a different way.”

“We have Moder, we have Baleba, we have Jack Hinshelwood, who can play in a midfield position. We move on anyway.”

Hopefully we move onto three points against Palace. It cannot be any worse than Tuesday night… can it?