Brighton and Hove Albion head to Old Trafford on Sunday to face Manchester United and manager Graham Potter seems to have a bit of a selection issue in hand.
Defender Adam Webster has been a key figure for the Seagulls this season but he has been out since February with an ankle injury. The recent international break was supposed to be a big plus point for the 26-year-old as he was expected to return from injury. But the Brighton boss has made it clear that Webster will not be available for selection Sunday.
“Making progress,” Potter said of Webster, as quoted. “He’s not yet joined the group. It’s looking more hopeful for the Everton match. But still a couple of weeks away.
“It was ankle ligaments so it is just a case of building them up and getting the movement of his ankle better and stronger. He is doing that work and once I think he’s got to a stage where he’s happy with that then he can join the team. He has been working hard in terms of his fitness so it is more the ankle and the strength and movement in that.”
This is a big cause of concern for the Brighton manager since Webster could have really strengthened the three-man backline against a team like Man United.
Veltman is capable of playing on the left-hand side while Dan Burn is also available for selection on Sunday. But Graham Potter has admitted that this particular area could pose a bit of a selection headache for him.
“It[Webster’s injury] does not make it any easier,” Potter added. “That is part of the challenge of managing in the Premier League and working with your team. You have to find a solution.
“There is always a time when you lose a player. We played Liverpool and won and pretty much lost Solly and Webby after that game. Then you have to find a solution, you lose a bit of rhythm and communication as a team while you find the next solution.”
Man United might be looking at his area of the pitch as a potential weak point in defence but Potter is expected to bring back Dan Burn into the side to replace Veltman on Sunday. And the 28-year-old has done very well for Brighton so far this season.
Burn might have remained on the bench for the win against Newcastle United but so far he’s started 17 Premier League games for the Seagulls and with him, back in the side Adam Webster should not be missed too much.
Also, Mason Greenwood is someone who usually plays as the right winger for Manchester United but the youngster is a doubt for this weekend’s match. If Greenwood is not fully fit then Dan James is likely to take his place in the side and we are not sure the Welshman has enough talent to outfox Burn all throughout the match.
