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Roberto De Zerbi admits he has some injury headaches ahead of Brighton\u2019s clash with Bournemouth on Sunday, with Lewis Dunk, Pascal Gross, Evan Ferguson and James Milner all doubts.<\/p>\n
The Seagulls were in Europa League action on Thursday, surprisingly losing 3-2 to AEK Athens in their first ever game in the competition.<\/p>\n
Dunk and Ferguson sat out the game, with the former struggling with a muscle issue and the latter illness.<\/p>\n
Milner started the game, but was forced off with an issue in the second half, while Gross played the full match but De Zerbi confirms he has suffered an injury.<\/p>\n
The Italian coach did not rule any of the quartet out of Sunday\u2019s game, but did suggest they are all doubts as Brighton return to Premier League action.<\/p>\n
\u2018I don\u2019t know the situation with James Milner,\u2019 De Zerbi told a press conference on Friday. \u2018Pascal [Gross] has a muscular problem. We have to analyse the situation and take the best decision.<\/p>\n
\u2018With Lewis [Dunk] we can\u2019t take any risks (with his muscular problem), especially at this point of the season. With Evan [Ferguson], there\u2019s a chance he can play.<\/p>\n
\u2018I\u2019m more worried about the injuries than the result (on Thursday), because we lost against West Ham, a very close game, and then we won against Newcastle and Man United. We have to analyse the quality of the performance, the attitude of the players, not the result.\u2019<\/p>\n
If experienced trio Dunk, Gross and Milner are all out then De Zerbi says their leadership roles must be taken on by other players, but he says his squad has no shortage of candidates.<\/p>\n
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\u2018We have to find another leader,\u2019 he said. \u2018Gross is a big leader for us. [Danny] Welbeck is another big leader. I think Adam Webster is a leader, one of the best leaders inside the dressing room. He\u2019s not had a very good moment in terms of his physical condition, but when he plays, he plays every game in a good way.<\/p>\n
\u2018We have a lot of younger players and they have to progress in their leadership, and I am speaking about Billy Gilmour, [Mahmoud] Dahoud, Pervis Estupinan. Pervis is young but he has the potential to be another leader.\u2019<\/p>\n