Brighton anticipates the absence of on-loan Barcelona forward Ansu Fati due to injury, with the expected return slated for late February.
Spain’s Ansu Fati has been sidelined since he exited Brighton’s 3-2 victory at Nottingham Forest on November 25, remaining unavailable for selection.
Seagulls boss Roberto de Zerbi refrained from specifying the nature of the injury at a news conference but confirmed that the 21-year-old is set for a spell on the sidelines.
“The news about Ansu Fati is I think he needs three months from the day of the injury,” De Zerbi said.
“It’s bad news for us because he was playing better, he was understanding better the idea. I’m sorry for him, I’m sorry for the team.”
Fati, on a season-long loan from Barca since September, has contributed four goals in 14 appearances across all competitions for Albion.
Brighton is covering 80% of Fati’s contract until the end of June, with an estimated total wage expenditure of around £7 million.
Fati, born in Guinea-Bissau but representing Spain, was included in their World Cup squad last year. He inked a contract extension with Barcelona in 2021, valid until 2027, featuring a notable 1 billion euro buyout clause.
Currently occupying the eighth position in the Premier League table, Brighton is set to host Burnley at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
