Midfielder -Propper Absence Explained

Brighton boss Graham Potter has explained the surprise absence of midfielder Davy Propper from his side at the weekend. The Dutch international was an unexpected omission from the side when the teams were announced at Stamford Bridge and Brighton missed his presence in the middle of the park as they went down 2-0 to Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side.

Head coach Potter says the midfielder picked up a knock in midweek and they decided to leave him out of the side so that he did not do any further damage to the unspecified problem.

The Seagulls boss says he expects him back for the home clash with Tottenham next weekend but admitted they missed his efforts in the middle of the park. “He should be fine for Tottenham,” he said. “We erred on the side of caution. “He has put such a lot into the performances over the last few weeks and, of course, you are going to miss someone of his quality.”

Whilst Potter left out Propper there was better news elsewhere for Yves Bissouma, who started for the first time this season after undergoing surgery to his shoulder.

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Meanwhile Ezequiel Schelotto was in the squad for the first time in over a year – his last appearance was the final day of the 2017-18 season before he picked up a bad knee injury – and Alireza Jahanbakhsh also returned to the squad, although neither came off the bench.

Solly March remained absent but is expected to return in time for the Spurs game next Saturday lunchtime at the Amex Stadium.
Brighton’s defeat at Stamford Bridge has seen them slip to 16th in the Premier League table on six points, a point and two places above Aston Villa who occupy the last of the relegation places.