What is Keeping Joao Pedro from Playing for Brighton against Ipswich?

Brighton had to make a key adjustment for their Premier League matchup against Ipswich as Joao Pedro was ruled out.

The 22-year-old has made an excellent start to the new season, scoring two goals in three games, and had been rewarded with a call-up to the Brazil squad.

Pedro played the second half of Brazil’s midweek defeat against Paraguay and Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler had been optimistic that his No.9 would be able to feature against the Tractor Boys having arrived back late from international duty.

He said: ‘I think we have a great medical department who will do everything for the regeneration of the players.

‘Also the players themselves, they are professional enough to know what they have to do to be fully recovered for Saturday.

‘Of course, they can’t train today with the team but they will be back on the training ground.

‘Then it is about giving them a good recovery and hopefully, they can train tomorrow and then of course they are part of the squad.’

The former Watford star, however, is reported to have picked up a knock and was not even named among the substitutes with record signing Georginio Rutter handed a first start.

More to follow…