(Reuters) – According to Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi, it is unlikely that Japan’s Kaoru Mitoma will be able to play in their Asian Cup campaign due to an ankle injury that could keep him out of action for four to six weeks. Mitoma, who has played 24 matches this season, sustained the injury during Brighton’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last week and left the game on crutches wearing a protective boot.
The Asian Cup is set to start on Jan. 12 in Qatar, with Japan’s first group game against Vietnam scheduled for two days later.
“Tomorrow (Thursday), we have more or less 10 injured players, maybe less, maybe eight, but two players can’t start the game,” De Zerbi said ahead of Thursday’s home match against fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
“We’ve lost Kaoru for around six weeks. Four, five or six weeks. I don’t think he can play in the Asian Cup with Japan. (Pervis) Estupinan is available for the bench.”
Although the return of left back Estupinan is a positive for Brighton, they are still dealing with injuries to Ansu Fati, Solly March, Julio Enciso, Adam Webster, Tariq Lamptey, and Joel Veltman.
Despite the setback, Mitoma will now miss significant playing time for his club and also faces the possibility of being sidelined for the Asian Cup, representing a blow to Japan’s plans in the tournament.
Japan will likely have to make adjustments to their roster and game plan to compensate for Mitoma’s absence, as they aim to perform well in the upcoming tournament in Qatar.
The loss of Mitoma is a disappointment for both Brighton and Japan, who will have to manage without him for a substantial period of time.
De Zerbi’s comments paint a clear picture of the challenges Brighton is facing due to the extensive list of injured players, with the absence of Mitoma posing a major concern for both club and country.
(Reporting by Rohith Nair in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
