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Crystal Palace vs Brighton in the Premier League at Selhurst Park this Sunday - 2pm
Midfield has been a problem area for Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler this term.
Key man Carlos Baleba has been below his best as gets back to top form after a summer of transfer speculation with Manchester United.
England under-21 academy graduate Jack Hinshelwood has missed much of the campaign as he sustained an ankle injury in the 2-1 loss at Bournemouth, while 39-year-old James Milner is sidelined with a muscular injury.
Yasin Ayari has been the most reliable and consistent man in the engine room so far.
Hurzeler has also opted to use midfielder Mats Wieffer as a right back.
For the most part, that has worked quite well but with Joel Veltman fit-again ahead of the clash at Crystal Palace, could Wieffer revert back to midfield? Is it a chance to give Baleba a breather?
"Yeah, a lot of factors," said Hurzeler toSussex World. "You always have to understand the situation from the individual players but I think Mats is doing well as a right-back.
"When you see how he's playing in possession, it's not like a normal right-back, he's able to come into the midfield, he's very flexible in his position, so he comes into places where he might be also when he's playing as a six."
That's all good for Brighton and Wieffer but the problem at times this season has been out of possession.
Hurzeler added: "It just changes his game against the ball, where he has to defend as a right-back. That's a change regarding his position as a six.
"But it's positive to have players who can play in several positions and Mats is one of these.
"It gives flexibility and it also gives us a chance to replace players when we might need to replace them.
"We need to analyse the individual situation from the players, we need to analyse the demand for the next opponent and then we choose our decision."
Hurzeler impressed by Baleba against Leeds United
Hurzeler is pleased with Wieffer's contribution so far and was also encouraged by Baleba's display in the 3-0 win against Leeds United last time out.
"We're all quite happy with the performance from Mats," said the German head coach.
"And regarding the performance from Carlos, we keep pushing, we keep trying to support him and help him, and I think he made a good step forward against Leeds, so hopefully he can continue this against Palace."
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