Rutter and Minteh join injury list: Ipswich v Brighton team news
Another pre-match press conference dealing with team news, another set of new injury woes revealed – this time surrounding Georginio Rutter and Yankubu Minteh as Brighton prepare for their trip to Ipswich Town.
Fabian Hurzler said that Rutter and Minteh have “small problems”, confirming what The Athletic reported on Monday night regarding the duo picking up muscle injuries in the 4-0 win at Norwich.
Hurzeler suggested Rutter and Minteh may be able to train ahead of the clash with the Tractor Boys. Based on what Andy Naylor wrote, however, that would appear wishful thinking on the part of The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History.
And it would not be the first time Hurzeler has been overly optimistic about player returns, only for that optimism to be misplaced.
Lewis Dunk minor injury ruling him out for six weeks. Ferdi Kadioglu back soon before season-ending surgery. And who knows where James Milner has disappeared to?
Whilst Brighton have enough wide players to cover the absence of Minteh, losing Rutter would represent a significant blow.
Evan Ferguson remains absent with a mystery problem and Joao Pedro had an MRI scan on an ankle twist last week.
Pedro is due to return to training before Ipswich, but it would still be a surprise to see him in the Brighton starting XI when the team news is announced from Portman Road.
The good news is Brighton do at least have one forward fit and available. Danny Welbeck made his comeback from the bench against Norwich with Hurzeler saying Dat Guy is now in good enough to shape to start at Portman Road.
If that, however, turns out to be a porky then Julio Enciso probably leads the line with Brajan Gruda in the number 10 role.
Hurzeler spoke about Gruda playing centrally, a position he has scarcely been seen in through his fledging Albion career so far.
The Albion head coach was also asked about Enciso’s future, a question he deflected with impressive German efficiency. There are arguments for and against Enciso going out on loan in January.
Hurzeler did not expand on these, but WAB can probably sum them up for you. For – he gets regular game time. Against – Brighton are certain to suffer another 34 injuries to forward players between now and the end of the season, meaning Enciso will likely be needed at the Amex.
As well as Welbeck returning, Dunk is also fit enough to be involved and Diego Gomez might make the squad for the first time since his £12 million move from Inter Miami.
Finally, Hurzeler confirmed that Igor will be out for the rest of the campaign. This does not really come as a surprise seeing as the recovery time for a torn thigh operation is four months.
With only three senior centre backs available and Dunk and Webster having been injury prone this season, the Albion may be forced into rare January business to seek reinforcements.
