Head coach Fabian Hurzeler says there is no need for Brighton & Hove Albion to sign another central defender in January.
Hurzeler has only Jan Paul van Hecke and Igor Julio available as natural centre-backs for the Carabao Cup last-16 tie at home to Liverpool on Wednesday night and another clash between the teams in the Premier League at Anfield on Saturday.
Captain Lewis Dunk (calf) and Adam Webster (hamstring) are both ruled out. Dunk pulled out during the warm-up in Saturday’s 2-2 home draw against Wolves, while Webster has missed the last two matches.
Brighton were interested in adding free agent Matts Hummels to their options at the heart of the defence during the summer transfer window when Brazilian Igor was a target for Wolves, but the 35-year-old German subsequently signed for Roma.
Hurzeler said: “Of course, we have some issues in the centre-back position, but Lewis will be back very soon. I think also Adam will be back sooner (than expected), then we have four central defenders.
“They are all able to play, they have already proved they can manage games in the Premier League so I don’t think that it is necessary to do any signing in the centre-back position.”
(Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
