MX23RW : Wednesday, May 29 08:03:03| >> :120:32263:32263:

Brighton boss Hughton considers Pascal Gross inclusion against Leicester

Brighton boss Hughton considers Pascal Gross inclusion against Leicester
© Reuters
Gross has not featured since the start of September because of an ankle problem.

Fit-again German midfielder Pascal Gross has given Brighton manager Chris Hughton a tough selection decision when Premier League action resumes against Leicester.

Gross has not featured since the start of September because of an ankle problem.

Hughton, though, confirmed both Gross and Dutchman Davy Propper are back in contention for the visit of the Foxes.

With Brighton looking to stop a run of successive defeats, Hughton accepts he now has plenty of options should he want to freshen up the team.

"Pascal is a very fit lad – he's clear of the injury now and he's fit to start," Hughton said at a press conference reported by the club.

"He's ready to start against Leicester and that's a decision I have to make."

Hughton feels the squad have what it takes to continue to hold their own in the top flight, having delivered three straight Premier League wins during October.

"We have players that arrived in the summer who are new and establishing themselves," he said.

"We've got a competitive squad now and everyone's coming along well."

One player, though, who appears less than impressed by a perceived lack of opportunities is striker Jurgen Locadia.

During the international break, the 25-year-old told Dutch media of his concerns, indicating he could look for a January move to get more game time.

Hughton, though, played down any talk of a rift.

"I've spoken to Jurgen and I speak to Jurgen regularly. There's no doubts that the comments he made or what he thinks was taken out of proportion," the Brighton manager said, in a video clip broadcast by Sky Sports.

"That doesn't escape the fact that he would like to play more. I would expect every player that is not playing so much to think the exact same way.

"So I have no problem with his views that way. He's a very good individual, trains really well.

"But the most important thing is he is very motivated to play here."

Hughton, who ruled himself out of contention for the Republic of Ireland vacancy, added: "Any talk of players who are not playing that they are desperate to play games and so on, I would expect every player to say that."

Brighton remain without record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh as he recovers from a hamstring problem.

Midfielder Dale Stephens starts a three-match suspension following his red card at Cardiff before the international break.

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Press Association Sport staff');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', 'ecc18525-2f0c-4bd1-8a26-3d05bec2447a');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'Brighton boss Hughton considers Pascal Gross inclusion against Leicester'});

ID:342173: cacheID:342173:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5029:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New First Team Coach Glenn Hoddle attends a Queens Park Rangers Training Session on August 14, 2014
Read Next:
Hoddle hero Daniels says first aid training ‘kicked in’ to save ex-England boss
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!