Sunderland vs Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League from the Stadium of Light – Saturday, 3pm
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler received a triple injury boost ahead of Saturday’s clash at Sunderland.
The Seagulls – who are third in the Premier League table after five matches – welcome back skipper Lewis Dunk and attacking midfielder Jack Hinshelwood.
Sweden international Yasin Ayari is also expected to feature despite picking up an illness and being isolated during the international break.
Dunk missed the 3-0 win against Arsenal with a neck issue and Hinshelwood has been out with a “small issue” after scoring twice in the opening day 4-0 win against Aston Villa.
Hurzeler, speaking ahead of the trip to Sunderland, said: “Lewis will be back and Jack trained this week.
“With him we have to see if it already makes sense to take him into the squad, because the next weeks will be busy.
“We have a lot of games, it’s really about managing the players and understanding who is really available, and where we don’t risk anything.
“But overall these two players (Hinshelwood and Dunk) are definitely available.
Mitoma and Minteh update
Hurzeler did however confirm that wingers Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh are “getting closer” but the match at the Stadium of Light will arrive to soon for the duo.
Mitoma continues his recovery from a hamstring injury and Minteh has not played since sustaining a leg injury in pre-season against Roma.
Full back Mats Wieffer is also set to miss out again as he recovers from a knee injury.
Hurzeler added: “We have Minteh, Mats Wieffer and Kaoru getting closer. Not fit yet, but they’re definitely getting closer and hopefully we see them soon back in the squad.”
Asses Azeez
Deadline day arrival Femi Azeez is also being assessed this week as the Nigerian international continues his “adaptation process”.
The match is also expected to arrive too soon for £21m summer signing Zadok Yohanna, who similar to Femi Azeez, continue to adapt to the demands of Premier League training.
Strikers Stefanos Tzimas (knee) and Evan Ferguson (ankle) remain long-term absentees.
“Stefanos is doing well, is progressing, but it’s still too early for him,” Hurzeler said. “Evan Ferguson, similar with the schedule from Stefanos, we have to wait some more weeks.
“But besides that, the squad seems to be in a good place.”