Brighton & Hove Albion boss Roberto De Zerbi provides a positive injury update on Solly March and Evan Ferguson ahead of Thursday’s Europa League clash with AEK Athens.
Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Solly March and Evan Ferguson are fit and ready to play in Thursday’s Europa League group-stage opener at home against AEK Athens.
March was forced to miss the impressive 3-1 victory at Manchester United in the Premier League last weekend due to a ‘minor muscle issue’.
The 29-year-old winger has made a bright start to the new season, scoring three goals in four Premier League games and is considered one of the first names on the teamsheet under De Zerbi when fit.
Ferguson, meanwhile, was only fit to make the bench at Old Trafford after picking up a knee injury before the international break, and he eventually came on as a substitute for the final five minutes.
The 18-year-old striker is another who has made an impressive start for Brighton in the new campaign, contributing with four top-flight goals in as many games – including a hat-trick against Newcastle United earlier this month – before the win over Man United.
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Ahead of Brighton’s first-ever appearance in European competition against Greek outfit AEK Athens, De Zerbi has revealed that both March and Ferguson are available to start on Thursday, as is Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati, who made his debut as a second-half substitute against Man United.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Wednesday, De Zerbi said: “I don’t decide yet, but yes they [Ferguson and Fati] can start they are in good condition – they are like Joao Pedro and [Danny Welbeck] I am lucky because I have good solutions.”
Asked specifically for an update on March’s fitness, the Italian head coach added: “Solly plays tomorrow.”
De Zerbi will also ponder whether to continue with Tariq Lamptey at left-back or recall Pervis Estupinan, who was rested for the win over Man United after arriving late back from international duty in South America with Ecuador.
Lamptey, who naturally plays as a right-back, impressed on the left side of a back four at Old Trafford and provided two assists for second-half goals scored by Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro.
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“Tariq is a very important player,” said De Zerbi. “He can play in the right and the left without a problem. He is one player and to compete in four competitions we need two players for each position.
“Tariq is always positive and he has a great attitude and qualities and for sure he can be important this season.”
Brighton could also see 18-year-old Facundo Buonanotte return to the matchday squad on Thursday as the attacker, like Estupinan, missed the win over Man United after returning late from international duty with Argentina last week.
The Seagulls will be without attacker Julio Enciso and midfielder Jakub Moder, though, as they continue to recover from long-term knee injuries.
AEK Athens, meanwhile, will assess the fitness of experienced defender Domagoj Vida ahead of kickoff, but they will have to cope without Mijat Gacinovic, Paolo Fernandes and Rodolfo Pizarro due to injury.
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