Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul van Hecke is expected to return from a groin injury after the October international break.
The 24-year-old centre-back missed his side’s 4-2 defeat to Chelsea on Saturday after aggravating the injury during the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on September 22. He is set to remain on the sidelines between four and six weeks.
In an interview with ESPN, Van Hecke stated that he is hopeful of a swift return to action.
He said: “I have been dealing with it for a while, I have also played matches with it, but in the final phase against Nottingham Forest it shot into my groin. Afterward, we had a scan done and it became clear that there is a big tear in it.
“I feel like I am slightly ahead of schedule. I hope that it will go a bit faster and that I can rejoin sooner.”
After an impressive start to the season, Van Hecke made his international debut for the Netherlands on September 10.
Van Hecke has made five appearances for Brighton this campaign, with the Premier League side going unbeaten during that run while the Dutchman featured for head coach Fabian Hurzeler.
He is the latest name added to Brighton’s list of injuries. Matt O’Riley, who joined the club from Celtic for £25million in August, required surgery following ligament damage on his left ankle after being hurt in a tackle by Crawley captain Jay Williams six minutes into his debut. Forward Joao Pedro also missed the Chelsea defeat after sustaining ankle damage in a tackle by Morgan Gibbs-White during the draw with Forest. James Milner has not played since sustaining a hamstring injury during the 1-1 draw with Arsenal on August 31, while Solly March is recovering from a serious knee injury.
Brighton are next in action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
(Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
