Brighton's Mats Wieffer Sidelined With Freak Knee Injury

Brighton have confirmed Mats Wieffer will be sidelined until after the upcoming international break with a freak knee injury sustained during last weekend's 4-3 defeat at Chelsea.

The Dutch full-back was struck in the face by the ball during the match, causing him to lose his balance and twist his knee awkwardly as he fell. "I can explain this quite easily because I also like to watch boxing," head coach Fabian Hurzeler said. "Sometimes in boxing, when someone gets hit, you see how weak his legs go and then the legs get in very strange positions, and then it might happen that your knee gets injured. It was a similar situation with Mats."

Wieffer had started both of Brighton's opening Premier League matches at right-back and was considered the preferred option in the position when fit. His absence adds to an already lengthy Brighton injury list that includes Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, Georginio Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood. Summer signing Costinha is the most likely option to deputise, with Hurzeler praising his fitness and tactical understanding since arriving at the club.