Roberto De Zerbi, the head coach of Brighton & Hove Albion, has provided an injury update regarding four players in preparation for their Premier League match against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday. James Milner, who recently joined Brighton from Liverpool and has been sidelined due to a muscle injury, is confirmed to be “available to play” against his former club Manchester City.
However, Brighton will be without the services of four other players for the upcoming match. Full-backs Tariq Lamptey and Pervis Estupinan are unavailable due to injuries, while Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder are dealing with long-term knee issues. Nonetheless, Moder has returned to training and is nearing a comeback.
Roberto De Zerbi expressed his thoughts during a press conference, stating that “James Milner is available to start the game. Pervis Estupinan and Tariq Lamptey are injured. Jakub Moder has started to work with the group, which is great news for him.” He also emphasized the significance of helping Moder return to full fitness and believes he can become an important player for the team in the upcoming fixtures.
In addition, Pascal Gross is fit and ready for selection after representing Germany in international friendlies against the USA and Mexico. He has recovered from a muscle issue that he was dealing with before the international break.
Brighton is currently sixth in the Premier League standings, two points behind third-placed Manchester City. They are looking to break a four-game winless streak in all competitions as they face the reigning Premier League champions at the Etihad. Despite their strong start to the season, De Zerbi acknowledges the challenges posed by Manchester City and their style of play, describing it as a “tough challenge.”
De Zerbi also expressed his admiration for Pep Guardiola, calling him the best coach in the world. He noted the honor he feels when Guardiola speaks highly of him and emphasized the passion and effort required for Brighton to make progress in the season.
It’s important to mention that Brighton has lost their last nine league visits to Manchester City, including a 3-1 defeat at the Etihad in the previous season.
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