Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Jan Paul van Hecke will make his return for Brighton’s upcoming match against Aston Villa after missing the team’s 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace due to a minor hamstring issue. The manager expressed optimism about Van Hecke’s return, stating, “JP will be back in the squad.”
However, there is still concern over Mats Wieffer, who has been sidelined with a toe injury since late December. Hurzeler mentioned that while Wieffer is “not ready, but close,” he remains unavailable for the midweek clash.
Brighton is eager to regain momentum following the recent defeat to their rivals. The team has experienced a challenging run, securing just one win in their last twelve Premier League outings. The atmosphere surrounding the club has been tense, especially after Hurzeler faced criticism from fans at the weekend, a reaction he acknowledged, describing it as part of the game filled with “a lot of emotions.”
Reflecting on his goal to rebuild the relationship with supporters, Hurzeler emphasized the importance of showcasing effort on the pitch. He said, “They need to have the feeling we give everything on the pitch. That they can go out and be proud to wear the colours.” This commitment to improving performances and engaging with fans hints at a hopeful pathway for Brighton as they look to turn their season around.