Hinshelwood doubt for Brighton's Chelsea trip after picking up training knock

Jack Hinshelwood faces a race against time to be fit for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Premier League fixture at Chelsea after the midfielder sustained a training knock, manager Fabian Hurzeler revealed following Brighton’s 4-0 Europa League win over Tromso on Thursday.

Hinshelwood had been one of the early standout performers of the Premier League season, scoring twice in 63 minutes during Brighton’s opening-day victory over Aston Villa. His absence from the Tromso match raised immediate concerns about his availability for the trip to Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea have won both of their competitive fixtures under new head coach Xabi Alonso.

“He had a small issue in training yesterday, so we have to go day by day with him and see how it progresses over the next few days,” Hurzeler said. “I can’t give you a clear schedule for when he will be back: it could be a really short thing, or it could be a few days longer. Let’s see how he presents himself, and then we can make a decision.”

The injury compounds an already stretched situation on the Brighton flanks. Winger Kaoru Mitoma is sidelined — having also missed Japan’s World Cup campaign through injury — while fellow winger Yankuba Minteh is also unavailable. Hurzeler acknowledged he has spoken personally with Minteh to persuade the Gambian international to remain at the Amex Stadium.

Georginio Rutter is another player being monitored after a knock of his own. His continued absence could hand Greek striker Charalampos Kostoulas an opportunity to impress, while new signing Promise David may be in contention for a Premier League debut having been an unused substitute against Villa.

Brighton will be without several key attacking options if Hinshelwood is ruled out, leaving Hurzeler with limited choices in the final third for what promises to be a stern test against an unbeaten Chelsea side.