Yankuba Minteh had to be substituted in the win at Everton (Picture: Getty Images)
Brighton’s Yankubah Minteh is fit to face Manchester United this weekend after being forced off during the Seagulls’ win at Everton in their opening game of the Premier League season.
The £30m summer signing from Newcastle started the game at Goodison Park and looked very good in the first half, but shortly after the break he clashed with Vitaliy Mykolenko and had to be withdrawn due to concussion protocol.
The Gambia international was not happy about it, feeling like he was okay to continue, but there is good news for him as he can take on Manchester United at the Amex on Saturday.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler told a press conference on Thursday morning: ‘There are clear rules we have to go through. It’s also important for the health of the player that we follow the rules of the Premier League, but he will be available.’
The German boss was thoroughly impressed with Minteh on debut, saying of his performance and untimely exit after the match: ‘It was disappointing but in the end we are responsible for the player and that is why we made this decision,
‘The health of the player is always more important than any game and any win. We are responsible for that and that is why we have to keep looking at him and see how he reacts now. But I am quite confident that he will be back next week.
‘He made a great impact but I judge my offensive players on how they work against the ball. They did it quite good today. They all have the quality to score and Minteh is very dangerous in transition.
‘It’s not like I was surprised he had this performance because I saw it in pre-season and that is just the confirmation.’
Fabian Hurzeler enjoyed a dream start to life in the Premier League (Picture: Getty Images)
Hurzeler was less clear about the prospects of Pervis Estupinan, Tariq Lamptey and Evan Ferguson, who are all pushing for returns from injury.
‘They were all in training and we have to wait today and tomorrow in their rehab and training continues,’ he said. ‘How they adapt to the intensity and then we will see if they will be an option for the squad. But I am very happy that they have come back.’
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