Brighton blow as Mitoma ruled out for the season

Brighton have been hit with another major fitness blow as Kaoru Mitoma is set to miss the remainder of the season with a back injury.

The pacey winger, 26, recently returned from international duty with Japan at the Asian Cup but now leaves Roberto De Zerbi with a gaping hole in his forward line.

De Zerbi is already without the services of Joao Pedro and Solly March for the foreseeable future, while Evan Ferguson will not travel to Wolves for tomorrow's FA Cup fifth-round tie due to an ankle knock.

Mitoma missed the 1-1 draw with Everton last weekend and it is the same back injury which will keep him on the treatment table for "two or three months".

Seagulls boss De Zerbi, 44, confirmed: "It's the back injury which kept him out against Everton.

"It's an important problem. I think two or three months, [so] finished [for] the season."

De Zerbi added he was hopeful Brazilian forward and top scorer Pedro would be back after the March international break — but the Mitoma update is a significant issue with a Europa League last-16 tie against Roma starting next Thursday.

The Japanese ace has evolved into one of Brighton's key players since making his Premier League debut against Newcastle in August 2022.

Last season, Mitoma scored seven goals and registered five assists in 33 top-flight appearances as the Seagulls qualified for European competition for the first time.

His output has decreased slightly this term with only three goals and four assists in 19 matches.