Opposition team news: De Zerbi cagey on injuries

Friday 21 April 2023 16:10

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has refused to rule out goalkeeper Jason Steele, defender Joel Veltman and striker Evan Ferguson ahead of the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United on Sunday.

The Seagulls face off with Erik ten Hag's Reds at Wembley in a 16:30 BST kick-off, with both sides vying for a spot in the final, which will be played in June.

It was thought that De Zerbi would be without Steele, Veltman and Ferguson for this clash. Steele was absent with a 'slight injury' against Chelsea last week and both Veltman (hamstring) and Ferguson (ankle) had to be replaced in the game at Stamford Bridge.

The Italian had previously indicated that the trio would be ruled out of the semi-final, but he now appears to have changed his tune.

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"The situation on injuries is not clear," he said in his pre-match press conference on Friday. "We will see tomorrow morning.

"We have another two days. We have time to understand the situation and analyse the decision."

The Brighton boss was also quizzed specifically on Steele, prompting the response: "Yes [he could be fit again], but I don't know if he is 100 per cent or if he can play."

Definitely ruled out of the clash are winger Jeremy Sarmiento (ankle), right-back Tariq Lamptey (knee) and midfielders Adam Lallana (thigh) and Jakub Moder (knee).

Levi Colwill was ineligible to face his parent club Chelsea last weekend, but will be back among De Zerbi's options for the match against United.

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