Brighton and Hove Albion remain without their Japan international winger Kaoru Mitoma
Fabian Hurzeler insists Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma is desperate to return from a long term hamstring issue.
Mitoma, 29, sustained the injury at the back end of last season and underwent surgery over the summer.
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The Japan star missed the World Cup for his country and is yet to feature for his club Brighton this season.
The Seagulls have though coped pretty well without their star man as they are the leading scorers in the Premier League.
Belgian international Maxim De Cuyper has also slotted in nicely on the left flank in Mitoma's absence with three goals and three assists in all competitions so far.
Hurzeler said Mitoma is "getting closer" but today's match at Sunderland will arrive too soon and the German refused to put a date on a potential return.
Mitoma is desperate to return
"I hope so," said Hurzeler toSussex World, when asked if he's desperate to return.
"But this question you have to ask him. So, I hope so, but the impression he gives me doing rehab, being on the pitch and doing things with the ball is quite positive. "The same for [Yankuba] Minteh, they're desperate to come back.
"They're desperate to come back, not only because they see others are performing, also just because they're great team players and they want to help the team. So, you definitely can feel it.
"That they want to come back as quickly as possible on the pitch, and that's just something positive.
"And we know having these two wingers back will definitely improve our game, will help our game, but on the other side, it's also really, really good to have our options.
"I'm quite a positive person and every injury there might be some positives.
"And if these kind of injuries won't happen, then we would never get the performances from a Malick (Yalcouye] or from Maxime de Cuyper in this position. So, yeah, you always have to stay positive, try to find solutions, get the best out of the team."
Mitoma needs trust
Hamstring injuries can be problematic for players like Mitoma who rely on sharp turns and blistering speed. Hurzeler said it’s important that Mitoma regains full trust in his body once more before returning to his previous level, or better.
“Yeah, that's the most important for me,” Hurzeler added to Sussex World. “Especially when players have these kind of injuries, that they don't have these kind of doubts.
“It's very important to have the belief, the trust in your own body, because if you don't have it, you can't go fully, you can't go and reach the highest level.
“So this will be the most important thing, but I'm quite confident that Kaoru will get back to his level, and maybe even higher.”