Wednesday 9 August 2017 16:02, UK
Brighton midfielder Beram Kayal is ruled out for up to three months after suffering a broken leg, manager Chris Hughton confirmed on Wednesday.
Kayal sustained a break to the fibula during the Seagulls' 2-3 friendly defeat to Atletico Madrid on Sunday and Hughton told Sky Sports News the 29-year-old will be out of action for "something like 10-12 weeks."
The news comes as newly-promoted Brighton prepare to begin their Premier League campaign with a tough opener against Manchester City on Saturday.
Explaining the injury sustained, Hughton said: "He came off at half-time in Sunday's game.
"What he has done, he's got a small break in his fibula which was operated on today and we expect him to be out for a period of something like 10-12 weeks.
"The good news is it was a clean injury, as such.
"The operation went very, very well. We don't expect any complications."
Hughton revealed Brighton are looking to secure some new additions before the summer transfer window draws to a close, but stressed it is a "difficult market" for the club.
Asked whether he plans to add to his squad, the 58-year-old said: "We are working hard and we would like to.
"We are in a market at the moment that, for clubs like ours, is a difficult market but we want to be the best that we can come the end of the window.
"We also have some players that we will expect to see go out on loan towards the end of this window but yes, I would like to think we will do some work before the end of the window."
Meanwhile, striker Sam Baldock will miss the first game of the season as he recovers from calf surgery, but Anthony Knockaert will be available after shaking off ankle ligament damage.
"Sam Baldock had surgery on his calf in the summer, and that's just the process of time really," said Hughton.
"He's back into part training, but we're still expecting him to be out for a little while.
"He had to rest for a good period in the summer so everything was later, so we still expect that to be a little longer with Sam.
"Anthony is fine. He played part of a game yesterday behind closed doors."
