Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro has returned to first-team training and could feature in Saturday’s Premier League match at Liverpool, head coach Fabian Hurzeler said on Thursday.
The 23-year-old Brazil international has missed Brighton’s last five matches in all competitions due to an ankle issue sustained in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on September 22.
“Joao Pedro will be back in training,” said Hurzeler.
“Some players will be back on the pitch. We have to see now how Joao’s coming back after a long injury to see if he will be an option, but he’s back in training.”
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk will also be assessed after missing the team’s last two games with a calf injury, while full-back Ferdi Kadioglu may be available despite being substituted off during Wednesday’s defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.
Matt O’Riley, who has yet to make his Premier League debut for the club after his summer transfer from Celtic, is also back in training.
“We have to see how Lewis is in training,” said Hurzeler. “We have to see also Matt O’Riley — he’s back in training — and when he will be potentially ready to be in the squad.
“I think with Ferdi Kadioglu it’s not that bad (the injury). Hopefully he will be an option for Saturday.”
Brighton are sixth in the Premier League with 16 points from their opening nine league matches.
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