- Brighton injury news: latest updates on Kaoru Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, Stefanos Tzimas, Carlos Baleba, and Yankuba Minteh, plus return dates.
Brighton will begin the new season with a few injury concerns to manage. While some players are close to returning, others are still some way from being ready for action.
Here is the latest update on Brighton’s injury list, including the players currently sidelined and their expected return dates.
Stefanos Tzimas
Injury: ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) Status: Returning to training Expected return: Coventry City, September-13
Brighton’s Greek striker sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his first Premier League start in a 4-3 defeat to Aston Villa on December 3, 2025. According to manager Fabian Hürzeler, the player started his individual training program as a part of the final stages in his rehabilitation.
He is expected to miss the opening fixtures of the season and is expected to be back against Coventry City on September 13
Kaoru Mitoma
Injury: Hamstring Status: Injured Expected return: To be confirmed
Mitoma suffered a hamstring tear while playing against Wolves in the 36th matchweek of last season. Later, he underwent hamstring surgery, which ruled him out from the World Cup squad for the Japanese national team. He is yet to start training and is undergoing a personalized rehabilitation program in Brighton's training center.
The manager confirmed that he is nearing a return, but he will miss opening match weeks and qualifiers for the conference league.
Evan Ferguson
Injury: Ankle Injury Status: Injured Expected return: To be confirmed
The striker who spent last season on loan with Serie A club AS Roma has undergone major ankle surgery following an ankle injury in March.
Manager Fabian Hürzeler says 21-year-old striker Evan Ferguson is making steady progress in his rehabilitation. However, he is still behind fellow forward Stefanos Tzimas in his recovery and is likely to be out for longer.
##Carlos Baleba
Injury: sprain/ligament strain Status: Injured Expected return: to be confirmed
Baleba was ruled out from the beginning of the 2025-26 season, sustaining a sprain/ligament strain during preseason training at Vienna in early August that will keep him out for "a few weeks" rather than months.
He is undergoing rehabilitation and is yet to return to the training.
Yankuba Minteh Moat
Injury: Leg Injury Status: Injured Expected return: 2-3 months
The Gambian international will be sidelined for 2-3 months after suffering a serious right leg injury during a preseason friendly against AS Roma. It is still unclear whether he needs to undergo surgery.
The right winger was ruled out for the start of the 2026/27 campaign after an impressive 2025-26 season with Brighton
What Brighton's Injury List Means for the New Season
Brighton has several players working their way back, but the timing of those returns will be important. Tzimas appears closest to a comeback, while Mitoma and Ferguson are likely to miss the early part of the campaign. Minteh's absence adds another concern in the wide areas, although Baleba's expected return within a few weeks provides some encouragement.