Kaoru Mitoma will miss Brighton’s final two Premier League matches and could be a doubt for the World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury during Albion’s 3-0 win over Wolves, the report says.
Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler told reporters that Mitoma will miss the next two games and that the club will be in contact with the Japan federation about his availability for the tournament, per the report.
Hürzeler described the injury as a big blow, while noting Brighton have a large squad and have shown this season they can replace important players. He also said the club must be patient and could not give a clear schedule for Mitoma’s return, the report says.
Japan open their World Cup campaign against the Netherlands on 14 June in Arlington, Texas, then face Tunisia on June 20 in Monterrey, Mexico, before returning to Texas to play Sweden on June 25. The top two teams in Group F advance to the round of 32 and the third-place team could also progress, per the report.
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu was reported as saying he hopes the injury is minor but added that staff had told him “it doesn’t seem minor,” according to the report. The account notes Mitoma is 28 and has nine goals in 31 appearances for Japan.
Hürzeler made his comments ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds and the club says Mitoma will miss those fixtures; further contact with Japan’s federation and additional assessments will determine whether he can join the squad in June, the report adds. PA and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
