Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Solly March and Adam Webster are both ruled out of Sunday's Premier League trip to Arsenal due to injury.
March has been a standout performer for the Seagulls so far this season, contributing with seven goals and seven assists in 33 Premier League matches.
However, the winger pulled up with a hamstring injury just over half-an-hour after coming on as a second-half substitute in Brighton's heavy 5-1 home defeat against Everton on Monday.
Centre-back Webster, meanwhile, was forced off at half time in the loss to the Toffees after sustaining an unspecified injury.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, De Zerbi said: "We are not in such good condition but we will decide on the squad tomorrow, but Solly March, Adam Webster won't be available.
"I don't know [when March will be fit]. It's a difficult question and more difficult to answer. I hope he can play in the last two games."
De Zerbi has also revealed that defender Joel Veltman, who has missed the last two matches with a muscle problem, is doubtful for Sunday, but striker Evan Ferguson is available for selection after recovering from an ankle injury.
"I also want to understand if Joel Veltman can play. If he can't, I will have to play another right-back," said the Italian boss.
"Evan Ferguson is available which is good news, he is a unique player for us. We have five games left and we have to organise game by game. We will need everyone."
Despite losing heavily against Everton, Brighton remain in a strong position to qualify for Europe as they currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, seven points behind fifth-placed Liverpool with two games in hand.
De Zerbi has insisted that Brighton will continue to fight for either a top-four or top six finish and hopes that his side will be in the "right condition" to bounce back against an Arsenal side who the Seagulls beat 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium in the EFL Cup third round in November.
"We are still disappointed about the last result but I think on Sunday, we will be ready to try and win the game," said De Zerbi. "We need to be in the right condition.
"We are fighting for a big target and we need to push with passion and courage. Arsenal are a great team, they deserve to be fighting for the title and we have big respect for them, but I am only focused on us.
"In the Premier League, you always have to play every match at your best – at 100% of your ability. The improvement is in our head. For sure, it was a problem of mentality on Monday – not our style or quality.
"Before I started working here, the target was tenth place and in two months, we have switched it to Champions League. We have a different vision. In football you lose if you don't believe."
Brighton can move up to sixth place with a victory over Mikel Arteta's side on Sunday if sixth-placed Tottenham Hotspur fail to beat Aston Villa on Saturday. body check tags ::
