Won’t take risk with Pedro injury: Brighton v Forest team news
The team news is in ahead of Brighton against Nottingham Forest with Fabian Hurzeler reporting the Albion will take no risks with Joao Pedro on his return from injury.
Joao Pedro missed last week’s 0-0 draw against Ipswich Town with a minor issue. He did not feature in the midweek League Cup win over Wolves either, despite Hurzeler saying Pedro was due to train the day before the game.
It appears to be the same story again. Speaking to the press on Friday, Hurzeler revealed: “He (Pedro) will train today with the team, then we have to see how it’s going. If he can train fully, if he can do all the movements. Of course we won’t take any risk but he will be part of the training today.”
On the subject of injury to Joao Pedro, it was interesting to hear Hurzeler say he did not believe the absence of the Brazilian was the reason Brighton failed to score against the Tractor Boys.
Hurzeler instead said the Albion needed to create more opportunities. A quick reminder that Brighton took 21 shots, put six on target and still failed to score. A lack of chances did not appear the issue in the Ipswich game.
There was not much other team or injury news forthcoming from Hurzeler ahead of Brighton against Forest. £25 signing from Mainz Brajan Gruda is expected back in full training next week.
James Milner meanwhile remains in rehab after coming off with a hamstring injury inside 20 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Arsenal three weeks ago.
Hurzeler has kept unenforced changes to a minimum so far this season. That though could – and should – change for the visit of Forest.
Simon Adingra gave another excellent performance in scoring and then being heavily involved in the third goal against Wolves.
The King of ACFON can surely do no more to convince Hurzeler he deserves a spot in the starting XI. With Yankubu Minteh unconvincing in recent weeks, Adingra must be under consideration for the right wing berth.
There is also the question of where Brighton fit in Ferdi Kadioglu. The Turkish international came off the bench to take over at left back in his Albion debut last Saturday.
He then scored with his first touch just a couple of minutes after coming on in the League Cup win over Wolves.
Jack Hinshelwood has struggled at times so far this season, making left back the most obvious spot to introduce Kadioglu. He could also take over from Yasin Ayari to play alongside Carlos Baleba in midfield.
Baleba’s sparking form was another subject Hurzeler touched upon in his pre-Forest press conference, saying the Cameroonian had so much potential and still lot of areas he can improve.
Hurzeler revealed Baleba had been receiving a lot of feedback from Andrew Crofts. Presumably on how to score in a 3-1 win at Southampton and get yourself shown a straight red card after 50 minutes of a home defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Only joking. We love you really, Andrew.
