Joao Pedro injury update from Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler ahead of Chelsea clash

Joao Pedro has been ruled out of Brighton’s weekend trip to Chelsea, manager Fabian Hurzeler confirmed.

The Brighton striker scored two goals in his first three Premier League games but has struggled for fitness since returning from the international break in September.

Pedro made his long-awaited return as a second-half substitute against Nottingham Forest last weekend but suffered a fresh injury scare after a heavy challenge from Morgan Gibbs-White.

The Brazilian was seen on crutches after the game and has not been pictured in training this week.

Speaking ahead of his side’s trip to face Chelsea on Saturday, Hurzeler confirmed that Pedro would not be fit for the clash and was unable to provide a timeline on his potential return.

‘It was a hard tackle and Joao Pedro had some problems after the game,’ the German said. ‘He still has some problems. We have to go week to week with him, but I don’t think he will be an option for the weekend. I am not sure how long he will be out.

‘It’s a little bit of an issue with his ankle. When you see this tackle, his ankle was fixed and it twisted a little bit. That is the thing that caused the issue and the most pain, the twisting of the ankle.

‘Joao Pedro is a fast healer. We had a small issue with him in pre-season and we expected him to be out longer, but he came back really quickly. I hope that will be the same case now.’

In his absence, Danny Welbeck is expected to lead the line, with the veteran striker already notching up three goals so far this season.

Evan Ferguson could also be involved after the Republic of Ireland teenager made his first start of the season the week prior in the Carabao Cup.

Hurzeler, meanwhile, was sent off in the closing stages of his side’s clash with Forest last weekend but revealed he will be able to stand on the touchline at Stamford Bridge.

‘In the game, I didn’t know what I got the red card for, and then I talked to Howard Webb, because in the end, I heard I got this red card for stepping on the pitch,’ he said.

‘I think if you give a red card for this, you have to ban a lot coaches during the games because it happens in emotional situations and phases of the game – it will happen, that you step on the pitch.

‘Of course, we are all role models and we have to act like this but I think also, you should bring out your emotions. In this case, it was just to protect my player.’

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