Another injury blow for Roberto De Zerbi and Brighton ahead of Charlton Carabao Cup clash

Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi will be without key players for their Carabao Cup clash at Charlton Athletic

Roberto De Zerbi’s men, who are seventh in the Premier League, last played on November 13 when they suffered a frustrating Premier League loss to Aston Villa.

Tonight they head to the Valley where they compete with the League One team for a place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao. Albion will be without their World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister who has been granted two weeks leave following his World Cup exploits, while striker Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster are both injured.

Welbeck sustained a ‘minor injury’ during a recent friendly against Aston Villa in Dubai and the game at Charlton also arrived too soon for Webster.

De Zerbi confirmed the match will be a perfect opportunity to watch some his fringe players in action ahead of the resumption of the Premier League where they travel to Southampton on Boxing Day, swiftly followed by a home clash against league leaders Arsenal on December 31. “I want to give Billy Gilmour the chance to show what he can do, Julio Enciso and Levi Colwill are the same,” De Zerbi said

“Deniz Undav scored two goals against [Aston] Villa in Dubai and is in a good moment. I have to give everyone an opportunity.

“Danny Welbeck and Adam Webster won’t be missing for too long, but they won’t be ready in time for Charlton.”

The Seagulls have the chance to reach the quarter-final of the competition when they take on Charlton and De Zerbi is hopeful his team can give Brighton fans an early Christmas present.

“For us it’s a very important game,” he said. “We have to play a good game with our quality of play, with the ability of our players and we will have 6,000 of our fans and we want to give them a Christmas gift tomorrow with a great result.”