Brighton Boss Sends Message To Rohr : Play Balogun In The Two Matches Against Seychelles, Egypt

Published: March 20, 2019

Brighton & Hove boss Chris Hughton has urged Super Eagles manager Gernot Rohr to field Leon Balogun in the two international fixtures against Seychelles (March 22) and Egypt (March 26).

The Seagulls number fourteen is clearly lacking match fitness, with his last appearance for the Premier League club coming against West Brom in the Emirates FA Cup on February 6, 2019.

Balogun has managed only two appearances, both in Cup games, from a possible fourteen in all competitions since the start of 2019 due to a shoulder injury and also the fact that he's the third-choice central defender at Brighton.

With seven matches in 25 days after the international break, Brighton have to manage their fixture congestion and Hughton is hoping to have Balogun available for selection.

''The good thing, particularly with the cup run, is the players that haven't featured so much have at least had games,'' Hughton said to Brighton's official website.

"Leon Balogun, for example, is going away on international duty with Nigeria and we're hoping he plays both matches."

Balogun has gone the distance in seven of the last eight Super Eagles international matches; the central defender was not in the team that played out a goalless draw with Uganda.

Igho Kingsley