Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Fabian Hurzeler has provided a positive injury update on Kaoru Mitoma ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Mitoma sustained a heel injury in the second half of the Seagulls' 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace a fortnight ago and the winger subsequently missed the 2-2 home draw with Leicester City last weekend.
"That is why we have to go day by day. It can change quickly. It is just a hit so it is more a feeling of pain," Hurzeler told reporters before the draw with Leicester. "If you overcome this feeling of pain he is available and that is what we have to see."
Mitoma was in attendance at the Amex Stadium for the clash with the Foxes and was spotted limping slightly as he walked through the players' tunnel at half
time.
However, Hurzeler has now confirmed that the Japan international is available for selection this weekend, and along with Jan Paul van Hecke - who served a one-match ban last time out - will return to the matchday squad.
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Hurzeler issues Mitoma, Kadioglu, Milner update
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Hurzeler said: "The big word today is positivity... Kaoru (Mitoma) is back, JP (Van Hecke) is back. A lot of injured players are at the end stage of their rehab and they start training next week. That's a big positive message for all of us.
Mitoma has once again been a standout performer for Brighton in attack this season, scoring seven goals and providing three assists in 31 Premier League games, with five of his goals netted away from home.
Van Hecke, meanwhile, has played in 29 of Brighton's 32 Premier League games in defence this term and his recent performances were recognised with a nomination for March's Premier League Player of the Month.
Hurzeler has also delivered a positive update on the fitness of Ferdi Kadioglu and James Milner, who have been sidelined for several months with respective toe and hamstring injuries.
Asked if both players could return before the end of the season, the Seagulls boss said: "There's a chance, yes".
Igor Julio (thigh), Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman (both ankle) have also stepped up their recovery from injury, but Saturday's game will come too soon for the defensive trio, while Georginio Rutter (ankle), Jason Steele (shoulder) and Adam Webster (thigh) also remain sidelined.
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Hurzeler: 'Brighton have six finals left'
Sharing his thoughts on Brighton's remaining Premier League games, including this weekend's cash with Brentford, and their quest to qualify for Europe, Hurzeler said: "We have six finals left - that's a good message and one the players share.
"We know every game will be a challenge but it's also an opportunity and that is how we will approach it. You have to go step by step, you can't force it and that's our approach.
"We're a young group and it's a process, which we know takes time, and sometimes you have to take one step back to take two forward.
"Brentford will be difficult to beat. They are a very athletic team and fast in the front line. I've heard it's a nice atmosphere there and it's against an opponent who are difficult to beat.
"When we're on our highest level, as individuals and a team, we can go there and get a result. Our fans have had a lot of highs and lows this season and I can promise them every player is ready to put into the highest effort in the last six games to make them happy."
Brighton currently sit 10th in the Premier League table, level on points with both Bournemouth in eighth and Fulham in ninth, and six points behind Chelsea in sixth and Aston Villa in seventh.
Oliver Thomas
