Kaoru Mitoma will miss the remainder of the season after picking up a back injury earlier this month; the winger has played just twice since Christmas and last appeared in the 5-0 triumph against Sheff Utd on February 18; it is a “bad, bad situation” says Roberto de Zerbi.
Mitoma, the Japan winger, missed Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Everton due to a back injury, and De Zerbi has now revealed that he will be out for two to three months.
“This is a very awful situation. “I believe we have lost Mitoma until the end of the season,” he remarked in a pre-match news conference ahead of Brighton’s FA Cup fifth round encounter against Wolves.
“He has a back injury, it is an important problem. I think he will be out for two or three months and two or three months finishes the season.”
Mitoma had been out with an ankle injury – and was also on Asia Cup duty – from December 28 and only returned Seagulls action on February 10 for the 2-1 loss at Tottenham.
The following week, he played 76 minutes in Sheffield United’s 5-0 victory over Brighton and was the victim of a horrific challenge from Mason Holgate, who was sent off.
That meeting at Bramall Lane currently likely to be Mitoma’s final match of the season, but De Zerbi clarified last week that the back condition was not caused by that challenge.
“No no no, Mitoma suffered something with his back before the Sheffield game,” De Zerbi told reporters. “The player of Sheffield [Holgate] has no responsibility for the injury of Kaoru.”
Brighton are now in seventh place in the Premier League, hoping to secure European football for next season.
De Zerbi’s side is also in the final 16 of the Europa League, where they will face Roma next month, and they face Wolves in the FA Cup last 16 on Wednesday night.
Brighton are now in seventh place in the Premier League, hoping to secure European football for next season.
De Zerbi’s side is also in the final 16 of the Europa League, where they will face Roma next month, and they face Wolves in the FA Cup last 16 on Wednesday night.
The Seagulls manager also stated that Evan Ferguson will miss the match at Molineux, while Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman are also out.
“Ferguson, he can’t play [on Wednesday],” De Zerbi explained. “Welbeck has a problem, and we need to look into it tomorrow morning.” Veltman as well. “The other injured players are unable to play.”
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