Brighton & Hove Albion
Potter ready for tough Foxes tussle
Brighton boss Graham Potter is glad to have his retuning international players fit to face what he feels is a well-coached Leicester City side on Saturday.
The final international break of 2019 is now done and dusted and clubs around Europe are counting the cost of any niggles picked up by the players who have been away.
The Seagulls had a few absent but Potter was glad to report that the majority seem ready for action when the high-flying Foxes visit the Amex Stadium this weekend.
Belgium winger Leandro Tossard rolled his ankle during the international break but is “fine” to play on Saturday, while Shane Duffy, Davy Propper and Steven Alzate have also reported back fit.
Adam Webster missed the defeat at Manchester United last time out but “has a chance of being fit for the weekend and it’s a lot earlier than expected”, according to the manager.
Brighton have enjoyed a solid start to life under their new boss, with 15 points from 12 games leaving the south coast club 11th in the top-flight standings.
However, they will welcome a Leicester side who have only Liverpool above them in the table and are well-placed to book a spot in next season’s Champions League.
The arrival of Brendan Rodgers as manager seems to have been a catalyst for the upturn in fortunes at the King Power Stadium and Potter was full of praise for the Northern Irish tactician.
“The guys at Swansea spoke very highly of the fantastic job Brendan Rogers did there,” he said. “His teams play with intelligence and organisation and he’s a top coach and manager.”
Although it will be tough for Brighton against the East Midlanders, home form will probably be key to their top-flight survival and things will not get any easier as the next two games involve trips to Liverpool and then Arsenal.
Neil Foster is an experienced journalist who specialises in cricket and rugby union. Neil also has a solid knowledge of tennis, golf and football.
