Van Hecke & Rutter fit for Toon: Newcastle v Brighton team news

Brighton received an injury boost with the team news ahead of the long trip to Newcastle United revealing both Jan Paul van Hecke and Georginio Rutter are fit to face the Toon Army.

Van Hecke has not been since the 2-2 draw against Nottingham Forest four weeks ago. A groin problem which the Dutch defender had been attempting to play through eventually developed into a large tear.

Speaking to ESPN NL about the injury, Van Hecke said he was not expected to play again for six weeks. That would have taken him through to the end of October, making his return after one month a rare example of a Brighton player coming back ahead of schedule.

Van Hecke said: “We’ll have to wait and see how the rehabilitation goes, but in principle it says six weeks. I feel like I’m a little ahead of schedule. I hope that it will go a little faster and that I will be able to re-join sooner.”

“It’s unfortunate and I’m disappointed that I had to get this injury at this particular time, but injuries never come out well. You have to learn to deal with that. I’m going to make sure I’m back as soon as possible.”

Brighton shipped four goals in their first outing without Van Hecke. All were scored by Cole Palmer and all in the first half as the Albion gave a calamitous defensive showing against Chelsea.

The back line woes continued eight days later when Spurs sauntered into a 2-0 lead at the Amex. A cricket score did not seem out of the question at half time, only for the Albion to launch a sensational comeback to win 3-2.

Rutter was central to that, scoring the equaliser and then setting up Danny Welbeck for the winner. The £40 million signing from 1996 Coca Cola Cup runners up The Leeds United has been getting better each week since his full debut in the 0-0 draw with Ipswich Town.

Naturally, this meant it looked like his progress might be derailed when Rutter pulled out of France Under 21 duty over the international break.

Fabian Hurzeler though confirmed when delivering his Brighton team news that Rutter would be available to face Newcastle, along with Simon Adinga.

Adam Webster, Joao Pedro, Matt O’Riley and James Milner will all be missing – the last of whom has suffered a setback on his recovery from injury.

Milner was an early withdrawal during the 1-1 draw at Arsenal on the last weekend of August. He was expected back soon but Hurzeler has revealed Brighton will now be without Milner for an indefinite period expected to last at least several weeks.

“He had a small setback. It’s not that positive as it was before the international break,” said Hurzeler

“We have to be patient. It’s not a thing that will be solved in one or two weeks. It will take several weeks.”

“We can’t give a clear schedule when he will be back, but before the break we were more positive, I can be honest about that.”

Aside from injuries, Hurzeler will also give consideration to those players who have been away on international duty for the past fortnight.

Kaoru Mitoma barely missed a minute in two games for Japan, followed by a long flight back to England from the Land of the Rising Sun after Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw with Australia.

Pervis Estupinan and Julio Enciso meanwhile must be doubts to start at St James’ Park. Hurzeler was yet to see the South American duo when holding his Thursday morning press conference as they had not arrived back in Lancing.

Estupinan started for Ecuador as they drew 0-0 with Uruguay on Wednesday night. At the same time, Enciso missed a penalty for Paraguay.

Two goals from Tony Sanabria ensured it did not matter in the grand scheme of things as Paraguay still manged to overcome Venezuela 2-1.