Brighton have no fresh word on Kaoru Mitoma’s recovery. As of 17 September 2026, the club have issued no firm timetable for his return to first-team training or match action. Six weeks into the new season, the kaoru mitoma injury return remains an open question for supporters.
Mitoma has not played since suffering a season-ending hamstring injury in May against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He underwent surgery that was described as successful. Beyond that, Brighton have offered nothing further on when he might be back involved with Fabian Hurzeler’s squad.
Brighton set to be without Kaoru Mitoma for season opener
Doubts over Mitoma’s availability were raised well before a ball was kicked. Japanese outlet Soccer King reported that the winger was unlikely to be fit for Brighton’s Premier League opener against Aston Villa on 23 August, long before the club confirmed anything themselves.
That report has proved accurate. Mitoma has remained out of contention since, as covered in our original report on Mitoma’s season opener doubts.
What the hamstring surgery means for Mitoma and Brighton
The injury against Wolves was serious enough to require surgery. It ruled Mitoma out for the rest of last season and cost him a place in Japan’s World Cup squad, a painful blow given how important he had become to his country’s attack as well as Brighton’s.
For the Albion, his absence has meant finding attacking solutions without one of their most dangerous dribblers. Hurzeler’s players have had to adapt. Younger squad members such as Yasin Ayari have been asked to stay fit to sustain intensity across a demanding fixture list.
Kaoru Mitoma injury return: latest September status
Brighton have not provided any fresh update on Mitoma’s fitness. As of 17 September, there is still no firm timetable for his return. The kaoru mitoma injury return remains unconfirmed by the club.
Despite the uncertainty, results have not suffered. Brighton secured a Carabao Cup victory at Old Trafford, showing the squad can cope even with a player of Mitoma’s quality sidelined. That win offered reassurance that the team is not solely reliant on his return to keep moving forward this season.
What happens next for Mitoma and Hurzeler
With no official date given, Brighton fans are left waiting rather than planning around a specific comeback match. Hurzeler has continued to rotate his squad without Mitoma available. That approach was clear again before Arsenal’s visit to the Amex, when Hurzeler and Arteta reset ahead of Amex clash.
Until the club says otherwise, the safest assumption is that Mitoma remains in a recovery phase without a confirmed return date. Any genuine update on his training status, or a return to the matchday squad, would mark the next real step in his comeback.
