Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler has refused to rule Danny Welbeck out of contention for Saturday's Premier League clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Amex.
The ex-Arsenal and Manchester United man was seemingly set to be sidelined for a lengthy spell after suffering a back injury in last weekend's 1-0 victory over Newcastle United, where he scored the only goal of the game.
Welbeck was given oxygen and stretchered off the St James' Park field, but it has now been confirmed that he only suffered a nerve injury, which is excruciatingly painful but not a long-term concern.
Hurzeler is therefore holding out hope that the in-form Englishman can take part in this one, but Solly March (knee), Adam Webster (thigh), Joao Pedro (ankle), James Milner (thigh) and Matt O'Riley (ankle) are missing, while Yankuba Minteh and Simon Adingra need late fitness tests.
It would be a surprise to see Welbeck risked from the off, so Evan Ferguson should be given the nod as the focal point of the Brighton attack, with Kaoru Mitoma benefitting from Welbeck's likely absence to return to the first XI.
Georginio Rutter is another shoo-in up front, and a heated battle should ensue between Yasin Ayari and Julio Enciso for the final attacking place, which the former will likely win after playing just over 80 minutes of the Newcastle victory.
The spine of the team should be left untouched, though, as Jack Hinshelwood and Carlos Baleba pair up in front of a backline of Lewis Dunk, Joel Veltman, Igor, Ferdi Kadioglu and Bart Verbruggen.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Igor, Kadioglu; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Mitoma, Rutter, Ayari; Ferguson
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