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Mitoma pictured training and this looks more hopeful

But it is unclear whether he will play a part against Liverpool.

Photos from the Wednesday morning session at Lancing showed the Japan winger working with the rest of the group as they tackled fitness drills.

He also appeared to be part of a group session with the ball.

Kaoru Mitoma appeared to be involved in a group session with the ball (Image: BHAFC/Paul Hazlewood)

That was in contrast to a photo published of him training on Friday, when he was clearly working on his own.

Mitoma missed the subsequent trip to Sunderland, where his replacement Yankuba Minteh scored the only goal.

Speaking after the game, head coach Fabian Hurzeler said he expected to see both Mitoma and Carlos Baleba back in contention for the Liverpool game.

Mitoma scored a memorable winner against the Reds in the FA Cup in 2022-23 and went on as substitute to play a big part in a comeback late last season.

He has been heavily involved in three wins and a draw at home to Liverpool as well as getting on briefly in a 3-2 Carabao Cup defeat.

Speaking at Sunderland, Hurzeler said: “It's nothing serious. He went for a scan and the scan results show that there was no injury.

“It was just a thing of managing the pain and it was just too painful for him to play today, but I think we will see him back next week.

“He tried to train (on Friday) but he wasn't able to do 100% movement and therefore he wasn't able to play.”

Carlos Baleba in the Wednesday session (Image: BHAFC/Paul Hazlewood)

Baleba could also be seen in the Wednesday session.

He travelled to Wearside but was not deemed ready for action after a minor issue.

Hurzeler has competition for places with Charalampos Kostoulas also looking to get back into the matchday squad.

But it would be no surprise if he were to name an unchanged starting XI against Liverpool.

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