Brighton reveal good and bad news for Newcastle clash - Four return, key duo out
Sunday's trip to the Amex feels huge for Newcastle United and our push for Champions League football.
We're in a superb position, sitting third as of Thursday afternoon and five clear of Aston Villa after our 3-0 win over Ipswich last Saturday made it 20 wins from our last 26.
However, should Nottingham Forest beat Brentford in their game in hand tonight and Man City see off Wolves in their Friday night meeting at the Etihad, we could drop to fifth by Saturday morning.
Brighton stand in our way on Sunday, posing quite a challenge after we've picked up no wins at the Amex since 2017 and suffered two home defeats to the Seagulls so far this season.
Here's some early team news from the South Coast ahead of the 2pm kick-off live on Sky Sports this Sunday...
Brighton reveal injury boost
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has revealed Jan Paul van Hecke, Karou Mitoma, Joël Veltman, Tariq Lamptey and Igor are all ready to start against Newcastle this weekend.
Star centre-back van Hecke had missed their last two home games, where they conceded twice to West Ham (3-2) and Leicester (2-2), so his return alongside Veltman and Lamptey will be a boost to a defence who've shipped 13 in the last five.
News that Mitoma is ready to start could also be a timely lift for the Seagulls, as the dangerous left-winger had been limited to cameo appearances in his last two games; where he still managed to find the net.
After discussing injuries, Hurzeler then looked ahead to facing Newcastle, describing Sunday's game as a "big challenge" that his team are "ready for" as they look to sneak into the European spots.
Two key players out
Despite Brighton being boosted by the return of a few first-team players, two star attackers remain out of this weekend's game.
Joao Pedro is suspended following his red card in a 4-2 defeat to Brentford two weeks ago, while former Leeds forward Georginio Rutter will not be fit in time for Sunday's game.
This means ex-Sunderland striker Danny Welbeck is likely to lead the line for Hurzeler's side, who are currently ninth in the table on 51 points, six points from seventh place Aston Villa.
Welbeck and former Mag Yankuba Minteh will be ones to keen an eye on, with the pair scoring in Brighton's FA Cup win at St James' Park back in March.
