KAZENGA LuaLua is poised to pep up Albion’s attacking options against Nottingham Forest at the Amex on Saturday.
Boss Chris Hughton will also have Joao Teixeira back to full health and new signing Beram Kayal available as the Seagulls look for an instant response to the 1-0 defeat at rock-bottom Blackpool, which has dropped them back into trouble.
Left-winger LuaLua has been sidelined since November by knee trouble. Former Celtic midfielder Kayal has been earmarked for a run-out in the under-21s against AFC Wimbledon at the Lancing training complex tomorrow afternoon alongside Dale Stephens, continuing his comeback from nine months out with ankle damage.
Playmaker Teixeira, two-goal architect of Albion’s last league win at home to Ipswich, was an unused sub at Blackpool after the virus which ruled him out of the FA Cup tie against Arsenal.
Hughton told The Argus: "The good news is LuaLua is now back fit and has done a week’s training and will be available for the next game.
"Dale Stephens has come through a couple of development games and Kayal will probably be available, so we’ve got bodies coming back which is a bonus."
Sam Baldock was withdrawn in the second half at Blackpool with a hamstring twinge, so the return of the explosive LuaLua is timely, especially with Adrian Colunga back in Spain on loan to Granada with a view to joining them permanently.
Hughton said: "Sam felt his hamstring slightly. I don’t think it’s a bad one, but if he had continued it certainly could have got worse. I think he will be okay.
"Adrian was keen to go back. He looked at the situation and we have to weigh up the odds. He came in the summer as a centre-forward and hasn’t really played very much in that position. It is his favoured position.
"The balance is if he is not going to get the games he would like we have to look for the right solution and we felt for all parties concerned it was the right solution."
The first away defeat of Hughton’s reign has dropped Albion back to within two points and a place of the Championship relegation zone.
Original article
Boss Chris Hughton will also have Joao Teixeira back to full health and new signing Beram Kayal available as the Seagulls look for an instant response to the 1-0 defeat at rock-bottom Blackpool, which has dropped them back into trouble.
Left-winger LuaLua has been sidelined since November by knee trouble. Former Celtic midfielder Kayal has been earmarked for a run-out in the under-21s against AFC Wimbledon at the Lancing training complex tomorrow afternoon alongside Dale Stephens, continuing his comeback from nine months out with ankle damage.
Playmaker Teixeira, two-goal architect of Albion’s last league win at home to Ipswich, was an unused sub at Blackpool after the virus which ruled him out of the FA Cup tie against Arsenal.
Hughton told The Argus: "The good news is LuaLua is now back fit and has done a week’s training and will be available for the next game.
"Dale Stephens has come through a couple of development games and Kayal will probably be available, so we’ve got bodies coming back which is a bonus."
Sam Baldock was withdrawn in the second half at Blackpool with a hamstring twinge, so the return of the explosive LuaLua is timely, especially with Adrian Colunga back in Spain on loan to Granada with a view to joining them permanently.
Hughton said: "Sam felt his hamstring slightly. I don’t think it’s a bad one, but if he had continued it certainly could have got worse. I think he will be okay.
"Adrian was keen to go back. He looked at the situation and we have to weigh up the odds. He came in the summer as a centre-forward and hasn’t really played very much in that position. It is his favoured position.
"The balance is if he is not going to get the games he would like we have to look for the right solution and we felt for all parties concerned it was the right solution."
The first away defeat of Hughton’s reign has dropped Albion back to within two points and a place of the Championship relegation zone.
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Original article