Fabian Hurzeler Issues Brighton and Hove Albion Fitness Update Ahead of Manchester City Premier League Clash

Fabian Hurzeler Issues Brighton and Hove Albion Fitness Update Ahead of Manchester City Premier League Clash The Seagulls return to Manchester three days after losing 4-3 on penalties in the Carabao Cup, a result that sent Enzo Maresca's side through to a home tie against Bradford City in the next round. Maresca confirmed on Friday that his whole squad is available for the league fixture apart from Antoine Semenyo, who was ruled out for around eight weeks with a knee injury against Ipswich Town and is expected back in December. Matheus Nunes and Iliman Ndiaye were both left out of the squad for Wednesday's cup tie without an explanation from the club, but the pair are now in contention to feature against the Seagulls this afternoon. Erling Haaland, Ruben Dias, Josko Gvardiol, Elliot Anderson and Gianluigi Donnarumma also return after being given three days off following the 2-1 defeat at Aston Villa, which ended Manchester City's seven-match winning start in the league, with Haaland having scored nine goals in his eight Premier League appearances this season. Maresca also insisted that no player is undroppable when asked about Donnarumma, describing the Italy international's dip in form as a normal process despite Geronimo Rulli saving two penalties in the shootout on Wednesday. Kadioglu is available for the trip to Manchester after the Turkey international went down inside the opening five minutes against Liverpool at Anfield last week, although the nature of his injury has not been disclosed. Hürzeler has also confirmed that Chema Andres is fit to feature after he appeared to pick up an injury in the same league game, whilst Charalampos Kostoulas is expected to return to the matchday squad at the Etihad Stadium. Brighton remain without Pascal Struijk, Kaoru Mitoma, Femi Azeez, Evan Ferguson, Zadok Yohanna and Stefanos Tzimas, with no injury types or return dates given for any of the six players ruled out of the fixture. Struijk and Azeez, who both arrived at the Amex Stadium during the summer, have had little or no game time for the club so far, adding to the depth problems Hürzeler has faced in the opening months of the campaign. Luka Vuskovic, who joined from Tottenham in a club-record deal in July, and goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen are expected to return to the starting line-up, with the Croatia international having started every Premier League game so far alongside Lewis Dunk. Mats Wieffer could come back into midfield, with Matt O'Riley, Malick Yalcouyé and Georginio Rutter all in contention, after Yalcouyé and Rutter scored in open play on Wednesday and O'Riley converted his penalty in the shootout. Pascal Gross could be rotated to manage his workload after playing more than 90 minutes in the cup tie, whilst Yasin Ayari, who had his spot-kick saved by Rulli alongside Dunk, has experienced a dip in form in recent weeks. Verbruggen's return would come after Jason Steele started in goal on Wednesday night, with the Netherlands international set to resume his place as Hürzeler's first-choice goalkeeper for the league meeting at the Etihad Stadium. The Seagulls have not lost to Manchester City inside 90 minutes in the last five meetings between the clubs, with the Blues' most recent win in normal time coming at the Amex Stadium in May 2024. Brighton arrive third in the Premier League with the division's best attack of 23 goals, a record that includes a 3-0 win over Arsenal , although Manchester City have never lost to the Seagulls in 18 home meetings.