Aston Villa play Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Wednesday night and the Seagulls have some injury issues
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Tariq Lamptey (L)
Tariq Lamptey (L)(Image: Getty Images)
Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that defender Tariq Lamptey is in a race against time to return to action before the end of the Premier League season after he picked up an ankle injury in training before the international break - and so he has been ruled out of Wednesday night's meeting with Aston Villa.
Talented right-back Lamptey has had to cope with a number of injury issues down the years, but he has played more regularly this term and has three goals to his name - including a late equaliser against Villa in the reverse fixture, which finished 2-2 at Villa Park, at the end of December.
Sent off in his last outing, in the FA Cup win at Newcastle United at the beginning of the month, Lamptey had to withdraw from Ghana duty in the international break after the setback. Hurzeler has suggested that Brighton may see Lamptey again before the season's end but, certainly in the short-term, he'll be missing.
"Tariq will be out for a longer time - he has an ankle injury," he said. "I think there's a chance that we will see him back [before the end of the season]. He is a good healer, I have a big trust in my medical staff and in Tariq's mindset to be back on the pitch as quickly as possible. There's a chance that he will be back in several weeks."
Another player, who also operates at right-back, who is likely to be missing is Joel Veltman; the Dutchman, who has been a superb value-for-money signing after making over 150 appearances for the club since joining in 2020, is still making his way back from his own injury.
"Joel Veltman is doing rehab, but he won't be an option," Hurzeler said, ahead of the Seagulls' meeting with Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup this evening. "I think he will be back in some days."
Elsewhere for Brighton, who are already without Ferdi Kadioglu\u0009, Jason Steele, Igor Julio and James Milner - none of who will be back in time to face Villa this coming week - things are looking a little brighter after a period in which the squad has been hit hard by injuries.
Captain Lewis Dunk and midfielder Matt O'Riley haven't been a part of the Brighton squad for quite some time; Celtic signing O'Riley hasn't featured since Valentine's Day while Dunk's absence has been a week longer than that.
They both are due to return imminently and could appear in the squad which is named to take on Villa at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday night, along with winger Solly March, who has made just six appearances this term.
"Lewis Dunk and Matt O’Riley will be back and hopefully they will both be options for the game," Hurzeler added. "Let's wait and see after the session today [Friday]. Solly March should be an option."
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