Brighton receive boost ahead of facing Everton as defensive duo return
Brighton have been handed a boost ahead of the clash v Everton after defensive duo Dan Burn and Adam Webster were spotted in first-team training on Wednesday.
Both centre-backs have been missing for Brighton in recent weeks through injury, with Burn having sustained a hamstring issue against Southampton last month while Webster has been out since early February.
Sussex Live report that Webster played an active role in the training session, despite having suffered ankle ligament damage against Burnley in February.
Seagulls manager Graham Potter hopes to have both defenders available to face Everton, with the south coast club keen to get back to winning ways against the Toffees.
Brighton lost 2-1 to Manchester United over the weekend, ending a two-game winning run in the Premier League over Southampton and Newcastle.
James Rodriguez played a starring role when Everton last faced Brighton, scoring twice and assisting once in a 4-2 win at Goodison Park in October.
Tough job
Though Brighton don’t possess any top-class players, and despite the fact that they are 16th in the Premier League table, the Seagulls aren’t easy customers.
According to stats from WyScout, Brighton rank fourth highest in the Premier League for expected goals [51.92], ranking behind Manchester City, Leeds and Liverpool.
Similarly impressive the Seagulls aren’t expected to concede much either, with their 32.22 expected goals against [xGA] figure ranking third lowest in the league, with just Chelsea and Manchester City better off.
Despite not having the best players at his disposal, Potter has been very good at organising his defence to minimise the impact that attacking sides can have on his team, and with both Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin firing blanks against Crystal Palace, Everton’s attacking duo could face a real challenge.
Should Burn or Webster be passed fit to face the Toffees on Monday it will only see Brighton strengthen their options further, putting even more pressure on Everton as they look to get back to winning ways at the Amex.
In other Everton news, £27m Everton loan star appears destined to return to Goodison in the summer.
Be sure to follow Goodison News on Facebook and Twitter for 24/7 updates on Everton and more exclusive interviews with Kevin Campbell.