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Brighton & Hove Albion boss Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed encouraging injury news ahead of their high-stakes Premier League showdown with Newcastle United, revealing that both Jan Paul van Hecke and Adam Webster are expected to be in contention for Sunday’s fixture at the Amex Stadium.
With European qualification still within reach, Brighton aim to finish inside the top eight, but they’ll have to navigate a tough test against a Newcastle side with Champions League aspirations. Historically, though, the Magpies have struggled on the south coast. They haven’t managed a win at Brighton’s ground since 2017, enduring a seven-game winless streak at the Amex that spans the reigns of Rafa Benitez, Steve Bruce, and Eddie Howe.
Hurzeler addressed the media ahead of the crucial encounter, delivering a mixed injury update. Van Hecke, who was recently sidelined, returned to full training and has declared himself ready to start. Meanwhile, Webster has also resumed training and may feature in the matchday squad if he continues progressing positively.
Yankuba Minteh, who scored against Newcastle in the FA Cup earlier this season, is also available. Though he refrained from celebrating that goal out of respect for his former club, the winger may play a key role again as Brighton look to continue their strong recent record against the Magpies.
Despite the boosts, Brighton will still be without four key names: James Milner, Jason Steele, Georginio Rutter, and Ferdi Kadioglu have all been ruled out due to injuries. Their absences pose a challenge for the Seagulls, who have won just once in their last six league matches. That solitary win came in dramatic fashion, as Carlos Baleba’s late strike sealed a 3-2 victory over West Ham.
Sunday’s match also carries some added spice following an explosive FA Cup tie between these two teams earlier this season. Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon was controversially sent off after a heated clash with van Hecke—a moment that saw the Brighton defender hit the turf and drew ire from the Magpies faithful. Gordon’s dismissal ruled him out of the Carabao Cup final, although Newcastle went on to lift the trophy.
There’s potential for a fiery reunion between Gordon and van Hecke if both take to the pitch once again. While Harvey Barnes is expected to start, all eyes will be on whether Gordon is introduced and if tensions from that infamous encounter resurface.
As both clubs chase vital points for their respective end-of-season ambitions, Sunday’s showdown at the Amex promises to be a tense and potentially decisive affair.
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