Estupinan and March back from injury: Southampton v Brighton team news
Pervis Estupinan and Solly March are both available but Lewis Dunk remains an injury doubt in the team news ahead of Brighton travelling along the south coast to face Southampton.
Dunk injured his ribs when the Albion beat Chelsea 2-1 in the FA Cup two weeks ago. He went off at half time and played no part in round two against the Blues last weekend, when Brighton made it two victories over their tribute act in the space of six days thanks to a 3-0 Valentine’s Day success.
It is the third different injury to befall Dunk this season. He missed five weeks in the autumn with a calf issue. Dunk was then ruled out for a couple of games after Christmas with a groin injury.
Age and having barely missed a minute for a decade now appear to be catching up with the Albion captain. His form this season has been below par enough for some Seagulls supporters to suggest Dunk should be dropping down the centre back pecking order.
Igor Julio did a fine job stepping in during November. With Igor out for the rest of the season following hamstring surgery, Adam Webster replaced Dunk against Chelsea last weekend.
Webster enjoyed an excellent 90 minutes alongside Jan Paul van Hecke. Since his horror show at Chelsea back in September, Webster has not put a foot wrong when called upon.
No mean feat given he too has spent a lengthy time on the side lines. And everyone knows how haphazard Wesbter has been in the past when rusty after injury.
Speaking about Dunk in his pre-Saints press conference, Hurzeler said: “It is an injury, an issue where I can’t say it will take two weeks, it will take three weeks.”
“It is an area near the ribs so I think everyone who had something with the ribs knows it can be very painful.”
“We really have to go day by day because I think it can also turn quickly and then he can be an option maybe the next week already.”
So that leaves a comeback date for Dunk as a clear as mud. There was better team news from Hurzeler surrounding the return of Estupinan and March, however, with both fit enough to be in the Brighton squad at Southampton.
It would be something of a surprise if either started. Tariq Lamptey did a fine job at left back in the two Chelsea matches and deserves to keep his place ahead of Estupinan.
March meanwhile has seen his game time very carefully managed by the Albion since his return from 14 months out with an ACL injury.
He is yet to start a game as Brighton try and slowly build up minutes. March has though looked good in his cameos so far.
There was a fantastic distance goal away at Norwich City in the FA Cup. He was then involved in the third scored by the Albion at Old Trafford.
His clever flick released Yasin Ayari down the left flank. Ayari crossed and Georginio Rutter applied the finish, via a little help from Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana.
Lastly, Hurzeler offered an update on James Milner. The veteran last played away at Arsenal back in August. He suffered what was described at the time as a minor hamstring injury.
Six months later and neither hide nor hair has been seen of Milner. Makes you wonder what would need to happen for Brighton to label something a major injury.
Anyway, Hurzeler said Milner is now training hard and making good progress. No return date was set, but reading between the lines it sounds like Milner could be back in April. 2043. Aged 57.
