Brighton & Hove Albion will be without Joao Pedro for Saturday’s FA Cup third-round tie at Championship side Norwich City.
The Brazilian forward will be out for a period yet to to be determined after suffering an ankle injury in training.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler, speaking at his press conference on Thursday, said: “I would love to have him on the pitch also on the FA Cup, but he twisted his ankle in training yesterday and he have to wait for the MRI (scan) for any clear results on that.”
Hurzeler described Joao Pedro as a “role model” when he captained the team in the 1-1 home draw with Arsenal on Saturday.
Handed the armband in the absence of long-serving captain Lewis Dunk with a calf injury, Joao Pedro equalised with a second-half penalty against Arsenal after he was caught on the head inside the box by William Saliba.
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‘Unfortunate injury crisis coincides with a busy period’
Joao Pedro’s injury leaves Brighton with a crisis up front. The 23-year-old talisman has been involved in 10 goals across his last 13 Premier League appearances (five goals and five assists).
Top scorer Danny Welbeck has only played for 20 minutes in the last seven matches, due to a recurring ankle problem. He is back in training and a late decision will be made on his availability for the Norwich tie.
Welbeck has been absent for much of the last month (Warren Little/Getty Images)
Welbeck sustained the injury when he was trod on by an opponent in the 1-1 draw against Southampton at the Amex Stadium at the end of November. The 34-year-old was in good form before that, scoring six goals in 14 appearances.
Hurzeler has used Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson and Georginio Rutter as the No 9 in Welbeck’s absence. Ferguson has missed the last three matches with a left ankle injury and the Republic of Ireland international remains sidelined for the Norwich game.
The injury crisis coincides with a busy period. Hurzeler’s side return to Premier League action after the Norwich game with a trip to Ipswich Town on Thursday, January 16, followed three days later by a visit to Welbeck’s old club Manchester United at Old Trafford.
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(Top photo: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
