Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma ruled out for remaining season with back injury

Kaoru Mitoma is a key member of Brighton’s attack

Roberto De Zerbi, the manager of Brighton, has announced that winger Kaoru Mitoma would miss the remainder of the season due to a back injury.

Due to an injury to his back, the Japan winger was unable to play in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Everton. De Zerbi has now revealed that Mitoma will miss the next two to three months.

Mitoma had been sidelined since December 28 due to an ankle injury, and he was also serving in the Asia Cup. He didn’t play for the Seagulls again until February 10, when they lost 2-1 against Tottenham.

“It’s an important problem. He could be out for two or three months and his season is expected to be finished”, says Roberto de Zerbi.

“A bad, bad situation. I think we’ve lost Mitoma until the end of the season,” he said in a pre-match press conference ahead of Brighton’s FA Cup fifth round tie with Wolves.

“He has a back injury, it is an important problem. I think he will be out for two or three months and two or three months finishes the season.”

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“No no no, Mitoma suffered something with his back before the Sheffield game,” said De Zerbi. “The player of Sheffield [Holgate] has no responsibility for the injury of Kaoru.”

Kaoru Mitoma has committed to Brighton & Hove Albion for an additional long-term contract.The 26-year-old signed a new deal that will keep him playing at AMEX Stadium till 2027.

Since joining the Seagulls in 2021, the Japanese international has accomplished nothing short of amazing. He set a record in 2022 with seven goals in his first campaign for the most goals recorded by a Japanese footballer in a Premier League season.In his 51 club games, he has totalled 13 goals and 12 assists, and last year he helped the team qualify for the Europa League for the first time ever.

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