Michael Owen makes worrying FA Cup prediction for Brighton at Leicester

Former Liverpool striker and FA Cup winner Michael Owen believes the return of Jamie Vardy could spell trouble for Brighton in the FA Cup fifth round tie on Wednesday
Michael Owen believes Brighton could be in for a tough time at the King Power Stadium on WednesdayMichael Owen believes Brighton could be in for a tough time at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday
Michael Owen believes Brighton could be in for a tough time at the King Power Stadium on Wednesday

Leicester striker Vardy will play some part in the FA Cup tie at home to Brighton as he makes his way back from groin surgery.

The 34-year-old made his first appearance since his operation as a substitute for 30 minutes against Wolves at the weekend and manager Brendan Rodgers wants to help him regain his sharpness ahead of Saturday’s visit of Liverpool.

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"Brighton are playing as well as I can remember just now," wrote Owen in his Bet Victor predictions blog."Huge wins against Liverpool and Tottenham came prior to a 1-1 draw against Burnley, and despite not getting maximum points in the latter, Seagulls fans will be happy I’m sure.

"Leicester’s mid-season momentum has quelled slightly, however, the return of Jamie Vardy will be a welcome sight.

"If he returns to the side here, I could see him playing a big part in a Leicester win."

Foxes' defender Timothy Castagne is not yet ready to return after a hamstring injury which has kept him out of the last two games while Wes Morgan (back), Dennis Praet (thigh) and Wesley Fofana (thigh) are still missing.

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Adam Webster will be absent for Brighton. The 26-year-old central defender rolled his ankle in the 1-1 draw against Burnley on Saturday.

Albion boss Graham Potter is unsure whether Webster will recover in time for Brighton’s Premier League game at home against Aston Villa at the weekend.

Solly March, who suffered a knee injury in the 1-0 win at Liverpool last week, is out for 12 weeks but has undergone successfully surgery.

Leicester provisional squad: Ward, Justin, Soyuncu, Amartey, Perreira, Mendy, Maddison, Under, Choudhury, Vardy, Perez, Schmeichel, Jakupovic, Evans, Thomas, Fuchs, Tielemans, Barnes, Albrighton, Iheanacho.

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Brighton provisional squad: Sanchez, Walton, Steele, White, Dunk, Burn, Veltman, Bissouma, Khadra, Propper, Lallana, Moder, Mac Allister, Alzate, Gross, Trossard, Izquierdo, Maupay, Tau, Zeqiri, Connolly.

Owen prediction: Leicester 3-1 Brighton