Brighton and Hove Albion winger Kaoru Mitoma will undergo a scan to determine the extent of an injury sustained in the 2-1 win against Newcastle United on Sunday.
In the closing stages of regular time in the FA Cup fifth round match, Mitoma signalled to the bench that he was struggling before going down on the pitch for treatment. The 27-year-old was seen gesturing towards his left knee and was replaced in the 91st minute by Solly March.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler said after the game that he did not know how serious the injury was.
“We have to wait for the scan and then I can say more about that,” he said. “But hopefully it’s not that bad. Let’s wait (and see).”
Mitoma is Brighton’s joint-top scorer, alongside Danny Welbeck, this season with eight goals in all competitions. He has been impressive form recently, scoring five goals and providing one assist in his last 10 games.
The Japan international was the subject of two bids from Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr in the winter transfer window, one worth £54million ($67m) and another worth £61m, both of which were rejected by Brighton.
Alexander Isak had given Newcastle the lead in 22nd minute from the penalty spot after Yankuba Minteh — making his return to St. James’ Park after joining Brighton in the summer — fouled Tino Livramento inside the box.
Minteh atoned for his error by netting the equaliser just before half-time.
The game headed to extra-time after a dramatic end to the game that saw Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon and Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey sent off and Fabian Schar have a would-be added time winner disallowed for a marginal offside.
Welbeck eventually scored the winner in 114th minute.
Brighton will take on the winner of Monday’s fifth round clash between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town in quarter-finals.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
