Brighton’s Brazilian striker Joao Pedro is not in the team that faces Ipswich (Picture: Getty)
Brighton were forced to make a significant change for their Premier League game against Ipswich with Joao Pedro unavailable.
The 22-year-old has made an excellent start to the new season, scoring two goals in three games, and had been rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil squad.
Pedro played the second half of Brazil’s midweek defeat against Paraguay and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler had been optimistic that his No.9 would be able to feature against the Tractor Boys having arrived back late from international duty.
He said: ‘I think we have a great medical department who will do everything for the regeneration of the players.
‘Also the players themselves, they are professional enough to know what they have to do to be fully recovered for Saturday.
Joao Pedro played the second half for Brazil in their 1-0 defeat against Paraguay (Picture: Getty)
‘Of course, they can’t train today with the team but they will be back on the training ground.
‘Then it is about giving them a good recovery and hopefully, they can train tomorrow and then of course they are part of the squad.’
The former Watford star, however, is reported to have picked up a knock and was not even named among the substitutes with record signing Georginio Rutter handed a first start.
Yasin Ayari, meanwhile, started in central midfield having replaced the injured James Milner as a substitute during the early stages of last month’s 1-1 draw at Arsenal.