EPL: Brighton v Leicester preview

Brighton v Leicester preview

Chris Hughton believes Brighton are a different beast to the one beaten by Leicester City in August, having taken the Seagulls to within two points of the Premier League top half with seven games to go.

The Foxes were comfortable victors over Hughton's side in the early weeks of the season, as Brighton took time to find their feet, but has since seen them embark on a run of one defeat in six, including a historic 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Amex.

"We've come on a lot since the reverse fixture back in August," he said.

 

"We're at home where we've been in good form - you can't go into any home game without looking to win it - and there are different ways of doing that.

 

"We've played consistently well in recent weeks and got results over the last month or so. I think we play better under pressure.

 

"We now look like we have more of a goal threat going forward."

Claude Puel says Kelechi Iheanacho could feature for Leicester in their clash with Brighton, despite breaking his hand when away on international duty.

He started Nigeria's victory in Poland last week but was absent from the squad for the 2-0 defeat to Serbia at Barnet on Tuesday night.

 

The 21-year-old returned to Leicester on Thursday and boss Puel confirmed the injury at his pre-match press conference, although he said the problem would be assessed to see if he could still play.

"We will see about Iheanacho because he has a broken hand," said Puel. "We will see if he can play with his injury. We will see [on Friday] in the training session.

"I think he fell. It's not an important injury. We will see if this injury prevents him from playing in this game. Perhaps it might be strange for him to play with a cast."

 

Seagulls loanee Leonardo Ulloa will be unavailable to face his parent club, while former Leicester winger Anthony Knockaert serves the second game of a three-match ban following his dismissal at Goodison Park three weeks ago.

Midfielder Dale Stephens will undergo a late fitness test on a knock, but full-back Gaetan Bong is expected to be available to return after recovering from a thigh problem.

Leicester striker Kelechi Iheanacho could feature against Brighton despite suffering a broken hand on international duty.

 

Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire both returned from international duty with England fit and well and will play against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

There were doubts about Maguire after he was left out against Italy this week as a precaution after limping off late in the victory over the Netherlands.

However, Matty James will not be available as he continues to struggle with a sore Achilles tendon.