Brighton could be without Kaoru Mitoma for the opening Premier League game against Aston Villa on 23 August. The winger remains a major doubt following the hamstring surgery which ended his 2025/26 season.
Sussex World reports that it remains unclear whether Mitoma will participate at all during pre-season. Brighton will take a cautious approach as the Japan international continues his rehabilitation.
The club confirmed in May that Mitoma had undergone successful surgery. Fabian Hürzeler said the 29-year-old had started the early stages of his recovery programme, but no firm return date was provided.
Mitoma missed Japan’s World Cup campaign because of the injury. His absence has given him more time to recover, although Brighton will not rush one of their most important attacking players back into action.
Kaoru Mitoma remains a major Brighton injury concern
Albion face Annecy and Strasbourg during their training camp in France before hosting Roma and Bologna at the Amex. Their first competitive fixture is a Europa Conference League play-off on 20 August, three days before Aston Villa visit.
Missing those friendlies would leave Mitoma without match minutes before a demanding opening week. Hürzeler may therefore need to prepare an alternative for the left side of his attack.
ReadBrighton previously reported that Mitoma was unlikely to train at full intensity during the France camp. His fitness was already considered a concern for the Aston Villa fixture.
Brighton have wide options, including Yankuba Minteh and Tom Watson, but neither offers exactly the same one-on-one threat from the left.
The priority must remain Mitoma’s long-term recovery. However, his continued absence would leave Hürzeler without a major attacking outlet as Brighton begin another season combining domestic and European football.
