Sussex

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Fabian Hurzeler is very much one of the new breed of managers who gives as little away on the injury front as possible.

The Brighton boss has refused to put a date on Joao Pedro's likely return after an ankle problem but has said it will be "soon".

That is such a subjective word, it could mean anything, but on balance, it has to be taken as good news.

The 23-year-old has only played four times this season and has scored two goals.

With Brighton fifth in the table, it is tempting to wonder where they might have been if their £30m forward had been fit.

More to the point, with back-to-back games against Liverpool to come after this weekend's encounter with Wolves, and then a meeting with Manchester City, it is Joao Pedro's presence for what is to come that is more important.

Brighton fans will hope in Huzerler's world, "soon" means just a few more days.

Brighton centre-forward Danny Welbeck has started the 2024-25 season in fine form, scoring five goals and registering one assist in eight Premier League appearances so far this term.

The 33-year-old arrived at Amex Stadium in October 2020 on a free transfer, after agreeing a one-year contract with the club to work under former Seagulls manager Graham Potter.

Speaking on BBC Sounds' Planet Premier League podcast, Potter praised the "role model" goalscorer, stating: "If you get Danny Welbeck fit and enjoying his football, the quality is still there.

"He is a top player and a top person. Credit to the club - they didn't just recognise that it is about signing young players, it is also about understanding what older players can do for the environment and for the collective.

"Somebody like Danny is a role model. He can teach you how to act, how to be, how to condition yourself and how to interact with your team-mates at the highest level.

"I'm delighted for him that he is doing what he is doing. I think he is contributing with goals, he is intelligent, he can drop in and he can threaten the backline.

“If you see what Danny has had to go through, I think he is also a resilient character. He is a good human being, so he doesn't get carried away too much with the nonsense of football.

"To have someone [in your squad] that has been there and done it, and can just handle it well, I think is priceless as a coach.

"We talk about tactics such as half spaces and all this stuff, which is of course really important, but there is a human side to the game as well - having players like him is just so valuable."

Listen to the latest episode here

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler says Lewis Dunk "really identifies himself by the values of the club" so he is "very happy" to have the defender as his captain.

Dunk, who was part of the club's youth system, is expected to make his 250th Premier League appearance against Wolves on Saturday, having been part of the Seagulls' rise from League One.

"He is so experienced and he sees this place as a family," said Hurzeler. "He wants to chill with the kit man and chef and spend time here. He really identifies himself by the values of the club.

"He is my captain and one of my most important players.

"He knows the club and their history and values. He has all the knowledge, which is good when I am new here. I can learn a lot from him.

"Being my captain is about having trust to exchange opinions. It doesn't come overnight. It is like a relationship with a girl - it doesn't come on a first or second date, but with time it does. It comes by making memories and earning respect.

"I am very happy that he is my captain."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Wolves (kick-off 15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• He confirmed Danny Welbeck hit a nerve in his back against Newcastle and it "was very painful and still is" for the striker. Hurzeler added "it is still too early" to confirm whether he is available and he will train today before a decision is made.

• More on Welbeck: "Our medical team and physios are working every hour with him to make him fit for the game. Hopefully everything will be good."

• He said he "will not take any risks" at this point of the season with bringing injured players back quickly, but Solly March has returned to training, Joao Pedro is close and winger Yankuba Minteh, who has "a small muscle injury," is being assessed "day by day".

• Adam Webster is expected to be out for another two to three weeks but Hurzeler said his "injury is not as bad as we expected it to be".

• On opponents Wolves, who are bottom of the league: "They play well and in every game they have had the chance to win or draw. We won't underestimate them because they have quality and they defend very compactly."

• He said learning to defend together "takes time" as "you can’t change the players' mindsets overnight," but he is happy with the steps the team are taking.

• On Lewis Dunk, who could make his 250th Premier League appearance: "He is so experienced and he sees this place as a family, so he wants to chill with the kit man and chef. He really identifies himself by the values of the club. He is my captain and one of my most important players."

• He said Evan Ferguson "is in great shape mentally and physically" and he was impressed with "the way he worked for the team". Hurzeler added: "Now it’s up to us to help him get his confidence back after such a long injury and then I am sure he will be even better."

Follow all of Thursday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen joined this week's Albion Unlimited podcast to discuss the side's 1-0 victory at Newcastle on Saturday:

"[St James' Park] is one of the toughest places to go in England. We knew that we had to fight and to work hard and everybody did that. If you work this hard then you deserve a result."

On grinding out the win: "It is a big step for us as a team that we can both dominate possession and dominate a game, but also at times hang on in tough moments and not give the momentum to the opponent."

On goalscorer Danny Welbeck: "He is brilliant. He is so important for us. He was the matchwinner again. Hopefully the injury is not too bad. He's a top guy. We all love him being around us, on the pitch and in the dressing room, so hopefully he is back soon."

On his own performance: "It is always nice to be important for the team. When you can do that with some saves to keep the clean sheet, it is a brilliant feeling."

On building momentum with recent results: "We showed in the second half against Tottenham what we are capable of and that has to be the benchmark now. In terms of work, intensity and spirit, it has to be like that and we showed it again. It is something we can improve even more and hopefully we can build on it in the next few games."

On substitutes making an impact: "You have to deliver when you get called upon. The guys that came in gave us exactly what we needed from them: fresh legs, a big fight and some control in the game. I think that shows the strength and depth of our squad this season."

Aston Villa are set to offer 20-year-old Polish goalkeeper Oliwier Zych a new contract, amid reported interest from Brighton and Arsenal. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer news? Read Thursday's full gossip column

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On this week's episode of BBC Radio Sussex's Albion Unlimited podcast, former Brighton captain Adam Virgo praised "genius signing" Danny Welbeck, after his goal was enough to win at Newcastle on Saturday.

"Danny Welbeck wasn't the typical kind of signing that Brighton would be making [at the time]," Virgo said. "Those kind of players that are at the wrong end of their careers in terms of hitting 30 years old [and with] the injuries that he has behind him.

"I always felt he was a very good addition, but could [Brighton] keep him fit?"

"He's had periods when he's played and then picked up the odd injury and been in and out of the team. But when he is fit, it has been a genius signing."

Welbeck has five goals in eight Premier League games this season but left the St James' Park pitch on a stretcher after hurting his back. He is a doubt for Saturday's home game with Wolves.

"If he could just stay fit for a sustained period of time, then his career could have been very different," Virgo added. "He has not been an out-and-out goalscorer but even as a centre forward, what he does with the ball and how he brings other players into play, the unselfishness of his centre-forward play is really important."

Listen to the full episode now on BBC Sounds

The latest episode of the Albion Unlimited podcast has landed.

Johnny Cantor is joined by former Seagulls players Adam Virgo and Warren Aspinall to discuss Danny Welbeck's excellent start to the season, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen.

Former Wolves striker Don Goodman joins the podcast to preview Saturday's game between the two clubs.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Brighton and Arsenal are interested in Aston Villa's 21-year-old Poland Under-21 goalkeeper Oliwier Zych. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column