Ferguson missed two games for Ireland during the international break (Picture: Getty)
Evan Ferguson is racing to be fit to play against Manchester United on Saturday with Pervis Estupinan likely to feature after international duty in South America.
The 18-year-old striker netted a hat-trick in the 3-1 win over Newcastle United heading into the international break but picked up a knee injury that ruled him out of Ireland’s key European Championship qualifiers against France and Netherlands.
But Brighton are hopeful he will recover in time to feature against Erik ten Hag’s side.
‘Evan Ferguson returned to training yesterday,’ Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi said on Friday. ‘We will see how he is this afternoon and tomorrow morning.’
Brighton are without Julio Enciso who is expected to be sidelined for four months with a knee injury while Danny Welbeck is also a doubt to feature against his old side.
Estupinan played the full 90 minutes for Ecuador in World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Uruguay.
While De Zerbi admitted his left-back is ‘tired’ after his international excursions, he will be available along with Facundo Buonanotte who was away with Argentina.
Estupinan played the full 90 twice for Ecuador (Picture: Getty)
‘Facundo (Buonanotte) and Pervis (Estupinan) are tired after a long travel but are fine.’
Ansu Fati meanwhile is in line to make his Brighton debut after joining the club on loan from Barcelona on the final day of the summer transfer window.
‘I want him to enjoy the game and I want to enjoy watching him,’ De Zerbi said.
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‘He has only had four or five sessions with us so I want to give him as much time as possible.
‘He is a big, big talent. I have worked with him for one week but if you ask me his best position in one month I will know.’
Brighton recorded wins home and away against United in the Premier League last season but lost out against ten Hag’s side in the FA Cup semi-final on penalties.
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