Veltman out, Welbeck a doubt: Brighton v Bournemouth team news
Joel Veltman and Danny Welbeck were surprise absentees against Southampton – and the team news ahead of Brighton hosting Bournemouth is that both are unlikely to return.
Veltman has injured a bone in his ankle. Not only is his participation against the Cherries in doubt, but the Dutch defender may also miss the FA Cup fifth round trip to Newcastle United on Sunday.
Welbeck has a better chance of featuring in either the Bournemouth or Saudi Sportswasher fixtures than Veltman. Dat Guy was initially injured in training last Tuesday and did not recover in time for their 4-0 win at Southampton.
Fabian Hurzeler kept that to himself, rather than reveal Welbeck was struggling with injury in his pre-Saints press conference.
As you would. Why give Southampton any advantage by allowing them to prepare knowing they would be facing a starting XI without Dat Guy?
Which just underlines how pointless these press conferences are in terms of actual injury news or genuine updates.
Still, here is what Hurzeler had to say on Welbeck and Veltman before Bournemouth: “I’m still concerned about Joel and concerned about Danny and therefore we have to wait how the training will go today and then we can make a decision, but these two are still doubtful.”
“Doubtful means I don’t know how the training will go today, so we have to wait the training session today and then we can decide what we will do.”
“We have an important match again on Sunday, so we won’t take any risk and that’s what we’re looking at today.”
Other Brighton against Bournemouth team news centred around Lewis Dunk, who will definitely not be involved. Hurzeler said there was “no chance” of Dunk facing the Cherries.
Given how Hurzeler has underplayed lengthy absences so far this season, it does not sound like the Albion captain will return any time soon.
In more positive news, Pervis Estupinan made his comeback from injury off the bench at St Mary’s. Hurzeler said the left back is now an option to start against Bournemouth.
The pace of Estupinan will be a big asset against a Cherries side who are amongst the fastest in the Premier League.
Hurzeler has a couple of options for slotting Estupinan back into the side. A straight swap for Tariq Lamptey would probably make most sense.
Lamptey has played superbly over the past three matches but with his injury record, it might be wise for Brighton to give him a rest before he breaks down.
The alternative would be switching Lamptey to right back, returning Jack Hinshelwood into midfield and dropping Yasin Ayari.
That would give Brighton two lightning quick full backs. Having said that, Hinshelwood coped admirably with Kamaldeen Sulemana at Southampton.
Should Welbeck miss out, Joao Pedro will continue to lead the line with Georginio Rutter in the number 10.
Saturday was the first time this season Pedro and Rutter in the same starting XI has really worked. That might have been down to Southampton being so crap.
But if the two click again against a Bournemouth side also in contention for Europe to prove it was not a one-off, that is good news for Brighton for the remainder of the season.
