Brighton ease joint-worst injury crisis in the Premier League by recalling 2022 World Cup star Jeremy Sarmiento

Published: 21:35, 1 Jan 2024Updated: 21:35, 1 Jan 2024Injury-hit Brighton have been boosted by the return of winger Jeremy Sarmiento – who impressed at the World Cup in Qatar.

The Seagulls, who currently have a joint-high 11 players out of action, have announced the return of the 21-year-old.

2

Sarmiento is on his way back from West BromCredit: Getty
The youngster has spent the first half of the season on loan at West Brom, playing 21 out of 27 games where he registered two goals.

Signed from Benfica in 2021, the former England youth international has three World Cup appearances under his belt, having been a regular for Ecuador at Qatar 2022.

Discussing the move, Brighton technical director David Weir said: “Jeremy will come back to us, and we will look at what is the next best step for his development.”

Sarmiento will boost Brighton’s decimated group of wingers, with Ansu Fati, Julio Enciso, Kaoru Mitoma, Simon Adingra, Solly March and Facundo Buonanotte all out of action.

Of all those players unavailable for selection, star Japanese wideman Mitoma is arguably the biggest loss with his three goals and four assists in 17 Premier League games.

The 26-year-old picked up an ankle injury against Crystal Palace on December 21 and was given a six-week recovery diagnosis.

Despite that, he has been called up to Japan’s squad for the Asian Cup from January 12 to February 10 in Qatar.

Discussing that decision, his club manager De Zerbi said: “I’m really surprised because my medical staff told me Mitoma needs four, six weeks for his injury.

2

De Zerbi has a whole host of squad issues to deal withCredit: BeanymanSports2 YouTube
“For me, it’s difficult to think he can play in the Asian Cup.

“But I am a fan of Mitoma, of all my players, so if they can play for their national team I am very happy and very proud.”