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Brighton & Hove Albion: Graham Potter hints at potential start for Viktor Gyokeres against Portsmouth
Brighton manager Graham Potter has hinted that Viktor Gyokeres could be handed a rare appearance for the Seagulls in their midweek Carabao Cup clash against Portsmouth.
The Swedish striker has played just five times for Albion’s first team and is being targeted by Swansea for a potential loan move, although Potter plans to give the 22-year-old a chance to impress before making a decision on his future.
When discussing the prospect of Gyokeres featuring against Pompey on Thursday night, the manager said: “It’s a possibility because he has done well when he has been with us and played, and he has attributes that are really interesting.” [via Sussex Live]
Gyokeres has yet to feature in the Premier League for Brighton and was not in their matchday squad for last night’s defeat to Chelsea. He had a promising loan spell with St Pauli in the German second tier last season, though, with seven goals and four assists in 28 matches.
Potter went with Neal Maupay and Leandro Trossard, scorer of the equalising goal, as a two-man attacking partnership in their 1-3 defeat to the Blues as they began their league campaign, while Aaron Connolly was deployed from the bench. That highlights where the Swedish striker is in the pecking order and the challenge that he faces in trying to break into the Seagulls’ line-up.
However, his manager has hailed the 22-year-old as a “big, strong” centre-forward who “runs in behind” and “can finish as well”. When addressing the topic of his prospects at the Amex Stadium, Potter added: “We want to take a real look at him and his qualities before we make any decisions on his next step. He is one we are really interested in.” [via Sussex Live]
With Brighton facing Portsmouth just three days after their clash with Chelsea and less than 72 hours prior to their next Premier League outing at Newcastle, don’t be surprised to see a much-changed Albion line-up for the Carabao Cup clash against Pompey.
That Gyokeres has been earmarked to feature in that game reflects where he stands in the pecking order, but Connolly showed last season that Potter is not afraid to throw strikers in at the deep end and then stick with them over the course of the campaign.
If the Swede is in the starting line-up on Thursday, he will have a prime chance to show to his manager whether he is worth keeping at the Amex or better off being dispatched on another loan spell.
Brighton fans, do you want to see Gyokeres starting against Portsmouth? Can he break into the first team this season? Have your say by commenting below!
