Brighton Boss Gives Clue Super Eagles Star Could Make Full Premier League Debut Vs Liverpool

Published: August 24, 2018

Brighton & Hove boss Chris Hughton has given a clue that Nigeria international Leon Balogun could make his full Premier League debut in Saturday's match against Liverpool at Anfield.

The former Mainz star played his first competitive game off the bench as the Seagulls claimed a 3-2 win over Manchester United last weekend, replacing an injured Lewis Dunk in the 20th minute.

Although Hughton has played down the ankle injury sustained by his vice-captain, he has admitted that the defender is rated as doubtful for the trip to Merseyside, meaning Balogun is in contention to be named in the starting lineup.

Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference, the manager stated : ''Lewis [Dunk] hasn’t trained this week, but the good news is that it’s not a bad one.

''He went over on his ankle, but we don't expect him to be out for a long period of time.

''He’s a tough individual and we haven’t ruled him out completely, but at this moment it would be doubtful. We’re delighted that it’s not as bad as it could have been.''

Assuming Balogun is not named in the starting XI vs Liverpool, there's a strong probability that he'll make his full debut for the Seagulls when they face Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday, August 28.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : brightonandhovealbion.com