Brighton & Hove Albion will be without at least eight players for Saturday's Premier League clash with West Ham United at the Amex Stadium.
Ferdi Kadioglu and James Milner are both closing in on a return having been sidelined for several months with respective toe and hamstring injuries, but this weekend's game will come too soon for the pair.
Georginio Rutter (ankle), Adam Webster, Igor Julio (both thigh) and Jason Steele (shoulder) are also in the treatment room, while Jan Paul van Hecke is another ruled out as he must adhere to concussion protocols after being stretchered off with a head injury in the closing stages of Brighton's 4-2 defeat at Brentford last weekend.
On a positive note, head coach Fabian Hurzeler has revealed that defensive duo Tariq Lamptey and Joel Veltman are "options" to feature this weekend after spells out with ankle injuries.
Meanwhile, Seagulls forward Joao Pedro will serve the first of a three-match suspension this weekend after he was shown a straight red card for violent conduct against Brentford, so Kaoru Mitoma - who recovered from a minor heel injury to score as a substitute last time out - is set to return on the left flank.
Danny Welbeck was also on the scoresheet against the Bees, netting his ninth PL goal of the season, and he is expected to continue as the central striker, while Matt O'Riley will hope to retain his place in the number 10 role as Yankuba Minteh continues to fend off competition from Simon Adingra, Solly March and Brajan Gruda for a start on the right flank.
Mats Wieffer operated in a makeshift right-back role against Brentford and may continue there unless Hurzeler opts to move Jack Hinshelwood back into defence, while Carlos Baleba could once again occupy one of two centre-midfield roles; Diego Gomez and Yasin Ayari are two other midfielders who are pushing for a recall.
The absence of Van Hecke could see Baleba drop back into central defence, but Hurzeler could also be tempted to call upon January signing Eiran Cashin to partner captain Lewis Dunk at the back, while Pervis Estupinan is set to continue at left-back.
Brighton & Hove Albion possible starting lineup: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Baleba, Estupinan; Hinshelwood, Ayari; Minteh, O'Riley, Mitoma; Welbeck
> Click here to see how West Ham United could line up for this contest
Oliver Thomas
