Brighton & Hove Albion will make a late decision on top scorer Danny Welbeck for Saturday’s home game against Wolves.
The former Manchester United, Arsenal and England forward sustained a lower back injury in last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Newcastle United and was taken off on a stretcher.
When asked about the 33-year-old striker at his press conference on Thursday morning, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “It’s still early to say if he can play or not, he will train today and we will see afterwards.
“He got hit on his nerve and then you don’t feel the leg for amount of time. It’s very painful and it’s still painful. He needs a lot of treatment. Our physios are working every hour with him.”
Welbeck was taken off in the 81st minute of Brighton’s victory at St James’ Park. The 33-year-old suffered a knock to the lower back in an aerial challenge with Newcastle defender Fabian Schar.
He received lengthy treatment on the pitch and required oxygen to help with his breathing, but joined his team-mates on the flight home on Saturday night after checks at Newcastle Royal Infirmary’s A&E department.
Welbeck secured the points in the first half with his fifth goal in eight Premier League games. Brighton’s options in attack against Wolves will be reduced if he is unavailable.
Joao Pedro is still ruled out by an ankle injury. Evan Ferguson, who made his first league start of the season at Newcastle, is not fully up to speed yet after ankle surgery in April.
Winger Yankuba Minteh is a doubt for the Wolves’ visit with a minor muscle injury sustained on international duty with Gambia which ruled him out against former club Newcastle.
Brighton, currently fifth in the table, will go above Arsenal if they beat bottom-side Wolves. Arsenal host Liverpool on Sunday.
Brighton face a doubleheader with Liverpool next week at the Amex on Wednesday in the last 16 of the Carabao Cup and at Anfield three days later in the Premier League.
GO DEEPER
Why Brighton will be hoping Danny Welbeck’s injury isn’t serious
(Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
