Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has provided a positive update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Manchester City at the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls have made an impressive start to life under 31-year-old Hurzeler this season and have picked up 16 points from their opening 10 league matches (W4 D4 L2).
Brighton do, however, head into this weekend's fixture seeking to returning to winning ways after letting a one-goal lead slip in a 2-1 defeat at table-toppers Liverpool at Anfield last Saturday.
Hurzeler has had to cope without a number of his first-team stars for some time, including key attacker Joao Pedro, who has missed Brighton's last six games since injuring his ankle against Nottingham Forest in September.
Midfielder Matt O'Riley - a £25m summer signing from Celtic - sustained an ankle injury of his own on his Seagulls debut in the EFL Cup at the end of August, and has subsequently been sidelined for the last 10 matches.
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Brighton receive Pedro, O'Riley injury boost
However, Hurzeler has confirmed that both Pedro and O'Riley have a "big chance" of being selected in the matchday squad for Saturday's game, while at least four other players will need assessing ahead of kickoff.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Hurzeler said: "Some of them for sure will return. I think especially Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley they have a big chance.
"[Yankuba] Minteh and Lewis Dunk we have to see the next days. For Solly [March] it's too early."
While captain Dunk (calf) and Minteh (muscle) have missed the last three and four games respectively through injury, March has been sidelined for the last 12 months with an ACL injury.
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Ayari, Baleba could also feature vs. Man City
Hurzeler has also confirmed that Yasin Ayari "will train today" and "might be an option for the weekend" after shaking off an ankle problem that forced him off against Liverpool last time out.
Meanwhile, Carlos Baleba should be fit to feature against Man City after watching on as an unused substitute against Liverpool due to a knee problem.
Asked by Sussex World if Baleba is available to play this weekend, Hurzeler said: "I think so, yes", but he remained tight-lipped when asked if the midfielder could start against Pep Guardiola's side.
Two Brighton players, along with March, who remain unavailable for selection are Adam Webster and James Milner, who are nursing hamstring injuries and will target a return after the international break.
Brighton currently sit eighth in the Premier League table and can move level on points with third-placed Nottingham Forest if they beat a Man City side who sit second and have lost their last three games in all competitions.
Oliver Thomas
