Hughton's Update Ahead Of Midweek Matches

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton gave an update on some of the members yet to feature for the Seagulls in pre-season, ahead of tomorrow’s double-header against Portsmouth and Charlton Athletic.

Hughton’s side welcome Pompey to the American Express Elite Football Performance Centre for a behind-closed-doors friendly at 11am, before travelling to The Valley for a match against the Addicks in the evening at 7.45pm.

Strikers Glenn Murray and Florin Andone have been unavailable for Albion’s opening three games of pre-season, and Hughton commented on the fitness of both players, as well as goalkeepers Mathew Ryan and Jason Steele.

He said, “We’ve got two games on Tuesday - one game at the training ground in the morning and one at Charlton in the evening - Glenn will be involved in one of those games.

“Florin [Andone] is very close, but at this moment he won’t be involved in either of the games on Tuesday.

“It’s just about us determining how quickly he comes back and balancing the risks involved. With any injury, what you don’t want to do is set them back.

“What Florin is doing at the moment is almost the equivalent of playing in a game. He’s doing a lot of work but it’s controlled work. We mustn’t take any chances on that one.

“Jason [Steele] won’t play in midweek, but we’ll assess him for the Saturday game at Birmingham. Maty [Ryan] will be involved in one of the Tuesday games.”

Hughton commented further on the overall fitness of his squad at this stage of pre-season, before assessing the work that’s already been achieved in the summer transfer window.

“They’ve all come back very well for pre-season, that is what happens these days. We’ve got good competition in the squad and everyone is pushing.

“We’re still looking to strengthen and improve the squad if we can, but if I look at what we’ve brought in so far, I don’t see too many coming in.”