Brighton's Star Player Mitoma Sidelined for the Rest of the Season

In a critical setback to Brighton's aspirations this season, winger Kaoru Mitoma will be out of action for the rest of the campaign owing to a severe back injury. Manager Roberto De Zerbi decrypted the gravity of the situation, stating, "It's a bad, bad situation. It's the back injury which kept him out against Everton. It's an important problem".

Mitoma has already missed a substantial part of the 2023-24 season due to an ankle injury and his participation in the Asian Cup. Despite this, the 26-year-old Japanese international had been instrumental in Brighton's campaign, contributing three goals and six assists in his 26 appearances across all competitions since his return to the south coast in 2022.

This timing is extremely unfortunate for Brighton, who currently sit in the seventh position, as they foster aspirations of a top-six league finish. Still in contention in the FA Cup and the Europa League, losing a key player such as Mitoma may significantly impact their season's endeavors.

Compounding Brighton's worries, they face Wolves in the fifth round of the FA Cup without Evan Ferguson and the suspended Billy Gilmour. Additionally, there are late fitness concerns for Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman.