Japan international Kaoru Mitoma is set to miss the rest of the 2023/24 season following a back injury.
The 26-year-old was absent in the Seagulls’ 1-1 Premier League draw with Everton due to the injury.
Meanwhile, Brighton manager Roberto de Zerbi has confirmed that Mitoma’s campaign is now believed to be over.
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“It’s an important problem. I think two or three months, [so] finished [for] the season,” said De Zerbi before Wednesday’s FA Cup clash with Wolves.
“It’s the back injury which kept him out against Everton.”
He also said: “injuries can happen in football… but don’t worry. Tomorrow we fight to win, at Fulham we fight to win and in Rome we fight to win.”
Mitoma’s injury means he’ll no add no further goals to the three he has scored as well as the six assists he had in 26 outings for Brighton this season.
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Injuries have plagued Mitoma’s season after he played a crucial part in the Seagulls’ maiden Europa League campaign last term.
Towards the end of 2023, he injured an ankle and was out of action for a month. During that time, he missed the majority of Japan’s Asia Cup campaign.
He returned as a substitute for their final two games prior to Japan being surprisingly knocked out in the semi-finals by Iran.
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Other injury concerns
Brighton are presently seventh in the Premier League table. They are still very much alive in the Europa League and FA Cup.
However, De Zerbi has confirmed the unavailability of other key players. Strikers Joao Pedro and Evan Ferguson will miss the fifth round FA Cup tie at Molineux. Also, forward Danny Welbeck and defender Joel Veltman are set for late fitness tests.
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