Brighton & Hove Albion left-back Pervis Estupinan is seemingly fighting an uphill battle to be fit for Saturday's Premier League showdown with Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
The Ecuador international unexpectedly missed the 1-0 loss to Everton last weekend with an unspecified issue, one that Fabian Hurzeler expects to keep him out of this one too.
While Estupinan is still in with a slight chance alongside Evan Ferguson (ankle), all of Jason Steele (shoulder), Igor Julio (hamstring), Ferdi Kadioglu (toe), James Milner (thigh), Mats Wieffer (thigh) and Solly March (muscle) are still absent.
As Estupinan recuperates, Tariq Lamptey - reportedly on the radar of Ajax and Leicester City - should prepare for another start at left-back in an unaltered rearguard.
The versatile Jack Hinshelwood is another option to fill in at the back, but the 19-year-old is also a candidate to start in midfield, where he could displace Yasin Ayari to start alongside Carlos Baleba.
Hurzeler placed his trust in Brajan Gruda from the first whistle against Everton, but the 20-year-old was then taken off at half time for Georginio Rutter, a strong contender to return to the first XI on Saturday.
However, if Joao Pedro and Danny Welbeck continue to operate down the middle, Hurzeler may opt for a more natural wide option than Rutter, benefitting Yankuba Minteh's chances of a recall to the starting lineup.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup:
Verbruggen; Veltman, Dunk, Van Hecke, Lamptey; Baleba, Hinshelwood; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
> Click here to see how Forest could line up for this game
Ben Knapton
