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Premier League | Gameweek 22

Feb 4, 2023 at 3pm UK

Falmer Stadium

Brighton
1 - 0
Bournemouth

Mitoma (87')
Veltman (9'), Dunk (69'), Caicedo (79')

FT(HT: 0-0)

Smith (84')

Three Brighton players ruled out, Moises Caicedo available for Bournemouth clash

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 03 February 2023

Three Brighton players ruled out, Caicedo available for Bournemouth game

Brighton & Hove Albion will be without Adam Lallana, Levi Colwill and Jakub Moder for Saturday's Premier League clash against Bournemouth, while Evan Ferguson is a doubt.

Brighton & Hove Albion will be without Adam Lallana, Levi Colwill and Jakub Moder for Saturday's Premier League clash at home against Bournemouth.

Lallana was forced off on the half-hour mark in the 2-2 draw at Leicester City two weeks ago after sustaining a muscle injury, and the playmaker subsequently missed the FA Cup triumph over Liverpool last weekend.

Moder is yet to play this season due to a long-term knee injury, while Colwill – on loan from Chelsea – has missed Brighton's last two games with a muscle problem and is not expected to return to first-team action this month.

Brighton are also assessing the ankle injury of striker Evan Ferguson, who was on the receiving end of a strong challenge from Liverpool's Fabinho last weekend before limping off in the second half.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's contest with Bournemouth at the Amex Stadium, head coach Roberto De Zerbi said: "Lallana is not going to be involved, we will have to see about Evan [Ferguson].

"The injury was not so heavy, he might be able to play tomorrow or the next game, but right now it's not so clear."

Brighton & Hove Albion's Moises Caicedo celebrates scoring their second goal on September 4, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, star midfielder Moises Caicedo is ready to return to the first-team fold amid speculation over a late January move to Arsenal.

The 21-year-old, who publicly expressed his desire to leave the club last week, was the subject of two bids from the Gunners worth up to £70m, but Brighton insisted that he was not for sale.

De Zerbi has since claimed that Caicedo will have no problems reintegrating himself into the squad as he still has the "love and respect" of his teammates.

"The other players love and respect him. They understood the situation, because everyone in football knows this situation can happen," said the Italian. "If there isn't a problem with me, then there isn't a problem for anyone."

Elsewhere, De Zerbi has revealed that Tariq Lamptey "will play" against Bournemouth, with the Ghana international poised to begin at right-back ahead of Joel Veltman and Pascal Gross, who have both featured on the right side of defence so far this season.

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi applauds fans after the match on October 29, 2022 © Reuters

"Tomorrow, Tariq will play. I think he's improving and he's an important player for us," said De Zerbi. "At right back, Joel, Pascal or Tariq can play depending on our strategy and opponent."

In addition, De Zerbi has confirmed that January signings Facundo Buonanotte and Yasin Ayari could make their debuts in the near future, with the former to begin on the substitutes' bench this weekend.

Buonanotte, 18, arrived at the Amex from Argentine outfit Rosario Central on January 1 for an initial fee of around £5.3m, while 19-year-old Ayari joined the Seagulls on deadline day from Swedish side AIK Fotboll for a similar fee.

"I'm happy for Facundo Buonanotte, he will be on the bench tomorrow and we will see if he can play," De Zerbi added. "I want to see Yasin Ayari on the pitch. I think he is a good, young player."

Brighton, who have put together a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions, currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, five points behind Tottenham Hotspur in fifth having played two games fewer.