Brighton & Hove Albion will still be without captain Lewis Dunk for Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round tie at Newcastle United.
The central defender suffered a rib injury during the first half of the 2-1 win at home to Chelsea in the fourth round of the competition earlier this month.
Dunk did not reappear for the second half. The 33-year-old has sat out subsequent Premier League victories over Chelsea (3-0) at the Amex Stadium, at Southampton (4-0) and on Tuesday at home to Bournemouth (2-1).
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler said at his press conference on Friday morning that the Newcastle game is “a little bit too early” for Dunk’s return to contention.
Right-back Joel Veltman also remains sidelined after missing the Southampton and Bournemouth victories with a foot injury.
League leaders Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup by Championship side Plymouth in the last round. Second-placed Arsenal are also out of the competition and four more top-flight teams will exit at the fifth round stage, as Brighton’s trip to Newcastle is among four all-Premier League ties.
Hurzeler, speaking about the chances of delivering Brighton’s first major silverware, said: “On the one side for sure when fewer top clubs are in the tournament the chance is bigger.
“On the other side we know the cups always have their own laws, their own rules. You don’t know what will come next. Anything can happen. This competition has already proved it so far this season, a lot of crazy results.”
GO DEEPER
Fabian Hurzeler is managing Brighton his way
(Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
