Kaoru Mitoma Ruled Out of Sunderland Trip as Rehab Enters Stage Two
Kaoru Mitoma will not be involved when Brighton travel to Sunderland on October 10. Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed there is no Mitoma injury return in sight just yet, with the winger now working through stage two of his hamstring rehabilitation.
Mitoma has not played since pulling up against Wolves in the closing stages of last season, the same hamstring problem that ruled him out of the World Cup. He has now passed the first stage of his recovery and moved into the second, according to Hurzeler.
Fabian Hurzeler Details Rehab Progress and Medical Team Strategy
Hurzeler explained that Mitoma’s return depends as much on confidence as on physical fitness. “After injuries like this, it’s so important that there are no doubts anymore,” he said.
The manager stressed that his medical staff are managing the timeline carefully rather than rushing the winger back. “The biggest belief is in your own body. That’s why we need to give him time,” Hurzeler added. “He needs to understand, ‘Okay, now nothing can happen anymore,’ and then he can go fully.”
Hurzeler also praised the club’s medical department, according to reporting by The Argus. “I’m really trusting my medical team. They’re doing a great job. They try to bring the player back as quick as possible,” he said. On Mitoma’s current stage, Hurzeler confirmed: “He passed the first stage of rehab. He’s now in the second stage: he’s improving, he’s developing.”
Brighton Squad Impact and Tactical Options in Mitoma’s Absence
Mitoma’s continued absence leaves a gap in Hurzeler’s attacking options, though Brighton have alternatives waiting in the wings. Yankuba Minteh, Femi Azeez and Jack Hinshelwood could all be in contention to feature against Sunderland, offering cover across the wide areas Mitoma usually occupies.
The picture was complicated further during the recent victory against Arsenal, when Pascal Struijk appeared to hold his hamstring late in the 3-0 win. Hurzeler touched on the club’s growing list of knocks during his post-match reaction at the Amex, with squad depth becoming an increasingly important theme.
Sustaining that level of performance over a busy fixture schedule depends on maintaining high physical intensity throughout the squad, a factor Hurzeler will weigh carefully as he finalises his options for Sunderland.
Upcoming Timeline for Mitoma and Albion’s Injured Contingent
Hurzeler has not put a firm date on Mitoma’s return beyond ruling him out of the Sunderland trip, but sounded confident once the winger clears his current stage. “Then he will be quickly an option,” he said.
Elsewhere in the treatment room, Stefanos Tzimas and Evan Ferguson remain some way off returning to action, giving Hurzeler little immediate reinforcement up front. For now, Brighton’s approach to the Mitoma injury return stays one of patience rather than a fixed deadline, with the winger’s own confidence set to determine when he next features.
