Jan Paul van Hecke is set to miss up to six weeks with injury after a large groin tear was discovered following Brighton drawing 2-2 with Nottingham Forest at the Amex.
The problem was kept under wraps by the Albion, meaning Van Hecke’s absence for the 4-2 defeat at Chelsea came as something of a surprise.
Speaking to ESPN, Van Hecke said: “I’ve been running with it for a while, also played games with it, but in the closing stages against Nottingham Forest it shot into my groin. Afterwards we had a scan made and then it became clear that there is a big tear in it.”
“We’ll have to wait and see how the rehabilitation goes, but in principle it says six weeks. I feel like I’m a little ahead of schedule. I hope that it will go a little faster and that I will be able to re-join sooner.”
“It’s unfortunate and I’m disappointed that I had to get this injury at this particular time, but injuries never come out well. You have to learn to deal with that. I’m going to make sure I’m back as soon as possible.”
Adam Webster took over from Van Hecke at Stamford Bridge and did not have the best afternoon. His terrible back pass gifted the Blues their first goal of the afternoon as Brighton saw a 1-0 lead quickly evaporate thanks to a Cole Palmer hat-trick.
Webster or Igor Julio will now be set for an extended run in the side. Igor looked much more assured than Webster after coming on midway through the second half against Chelsea.
This though could easily be put down to the Blues having the game won and taking their foot off the pedal.
A six week recovery period from the severity of the injury becoming known after Brighton played Forest would rule Van Hecke out until the first weekend of November.
The Albion face Spurs, Newcastle United, Wolves and Liverpool in the League Cup over that period before a trip to Anfield for Premier League action on Saturday 2nd November.
Van Hecke will also miss the Netherlands October Nations League matches against Hungary and Germany. He made his Dutch debut in the September international break, acquitting himself well whilst at the same time as being compared to a guard in Schindler’s List by one Oranje fan on Twitter.
With the high line used by Fabian Hurzeler already coming under scrutiny, the last thing the youngest permanent head coach in Premier League history needed was to lose his best centre back.
Being without Van Hecke long-term though could provide a convenient excuse for Hurzeler to change formation. His St Pauli side sauntered to the Bundesliga 2 title playing a back three with a defensive midfielder as the middle centre back.
Using Carlos Baleba or even Jakub Moder in such a role would inject much-needed pace into Hurzeler’s high defensive line.
