Brighton have been dealt another blow for their meeting with modern-day rivals Chelsea, with Yasin Ayari surprisingly absent from the matchday squad at Stamford Bridge.
The Swedish midfielder, 22, had been expected to be involved but is not even among the substitutes. Sussex World understands he has picked up an injury but the exact nature has not been specified by the club.
His absence is particularly notable because Malick Yalcouye has been handed his first Premier League start in midfield in his place.
The news comes with Brighton already dealing with a growing list of injury concerns.
Levi Colwill, of Chelsea, challenged by Yasin Ayari and Ferdi Kadıoglu of Brighton & Hove Albion during a Premier League match on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)placeholder image
Levi Colwill, of Chelsea, challenged by Yasin Ayari and Ferdi Kadıoglu of Brighton & Hove Albion during a Premier League match on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Jack Hinshelwood and Georginio Rutter both miss out, as expected. Hinshelwood has been sidelined by an ankle injury since scoring twice in Brighton's 4-0 victory over Aston Villa last weekend.
Manager Fabian Hurzeler had indicated the academy graduate’s situation would be assessed day by day.
French forward Georginio Rutter is another absentee after picking up a knock, having – like Hinshelwood – already missed Thursday's Conference League win over Tromsø. He was considered more likely to recover in time for the trip to Chelsea but the match came too soon.
Speaking pre-match, Hurzeler said: “With both, we will have to be patient. There might be a chance for one of them to be in the squad [against Chelsea].
"With Jack we have to be more patient. Let's see how the next weeks are going. I can't give you a clear schedule when the players will be back.
"We have to go day-by-day. With Gini, I see a higher chance that he might be part of the squad. Jack we'll have to be more patient. Let's see."
Brighton are also still without Kaoru Mitoma and Yankuba Minteh, further reducing Hurzeler's attacking options.
There is at least some positive news, with Ferdi Kadioglu returning to the starting XI after a slight injury. Charalampos Kostoulas is in for Georginio – in one of three Albion changes.
Summer signings Promise David and Jaouen Hadjam are among the subs.
Hurzeler said: “I'm quite convinced they will be options for us at the weekend and that's positive. I think they are two great players. Two great personalities. They make our squad stronger."
Yalcouye's first Premier League start provides the immediate answer on the pitch – but Ayari's concerning absence is likely to be one of the main talking points after the game.
Meanwhile, two former Seagulls start for Chelsea – Joao Pedro and Levi Colwill. Ex-Albion goalkeeper Robert Sanchez has been replaced by new signing Emi Martinez, whilst Danny Welbeck is on the Chelsea bench – alongside Moises Caicedo.
Brighton XI: Verbruggen, Dunk, Gross, Kostoulas, Boscagli, Kadioglu, Gomez, Wieffer, De Cuyper, Yalcouye, Vuskovic.
Subs: Steele, Struijk, Hadjam, David, Osman, Costinha, Cozier-Duberry, O'Riley, Oriola.
Chelsea XI: Martinez, Fofana, Lacroix, Colwill, Neto, Joao Pedro, Palmer, Rogers, Hato, Gusto, Lavia.
Subs: Penders, Barco, Gittens, Welbeck, James, Caicedo, Chavarria, Acheampong, Estevao.