Brighton vs Blackpool FA Cup team news: Graham Potter rules out six star players for Albion

Brighton and Hove Albion's injuries troubles continue ahead of their FA Cup fourth round tie against Blackpool at the Amex Stadium this Saturday
Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham potter has injuries issues to contend withBrighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham potter has injuries issues to contend with
Brighton and Hove Albion head coach Graham potter has injuries issues to contend with

Brighton have been without Aaron Connolly (hamstring), Adam Lallana (illness), Danny Welbeck (knee) and Tariq Lamptey (hamstring) and Alireza Jahanbakhsh.

Head coach Graham Potter also confirmed Jason Steele, who was the hero in their win over Newport in the previous round, will miss the game through illness.

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"None of those will be involved at the weekend," said Potter. "But they’re making progress. Aaron is making progress, he will probably be training with the group tomorrow, but the weekend comes too soon for him.

"Adam is feeling a lot better having been poorly. He will need some training time though before he is considered for the games.

"Danny is making progress although a little bit slower than we thought, we’re looking at a couple of weeks for him and the same for Tariq. Alireza will be a couple of weeks."

Goalkeeper Christian Walton is hoping to make his first Seagulls appearance since May 2015.

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Albion forwards Percy Tau and Andi Zeqiri could be given more game time following their recent arrivals, while Poland midfielder Jakub Moder may be involved for the first time since being recalled from his loan spell at Lech Poznan.

"[Jakub has] settled in well and I think he will be in the group. Probably too soon for him to start from a training time perspective.

"We have been impressed by what we have seen and he will get better with the more time he is with us. Probably just too soon for us before he can start the game."

Despite Albion's lowly position in the Premier League Potter is keen for Albion to advanced in the Cup but expects a stern challenge from Blackpool.

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"I have been really impressed, obviously Neil Critchley is a very respected coach – I can see that in the work of his team. Blackpool are capable of winning the game, so we respect that and we will have to try and fight to win ourselves.

"When I have watched the games back, they made a slow start to the league, but their performances have picked up and so have their results. It’s going to be a tough game," Potter added.

Blackpool could hand a debut to striker Ellis Simms at the Amex Stadium.

The 20-year-old this week joined the Sky Bet League One side on loan from Everton.

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Midfielder Grant Ward (tight hamstring) and striker Bez Lubala (ankle) will be assessed after each reporting minor problems following last Saturday’s draw with Hull.

Winger CJ Hamilton and forward Keshi Anderson remain sidelined for the foreseeable future due to hamstring injuries.