Super Eagles: Why Femi Azeez could miss Brighton’s clash with Sunderland — key reason confirmed

Brighton & Hove Albion fans will have to wait a little longer to see Super Eagles forward Femi Azeez make his competitive debut for the club.

Azeez joined the Seagulls from English Championship side Millwall on transfer deadline day in a deal worth more than £15 million. 

However, the Super Eagles forward is yet to feature in a competitive game for his new club. The 25-year-old enjoyed an impressive campaign with Millwall last season, earning a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Season after helping the Lions reach the Championship play-off semi-finals, where they were eliminated by Hull City.

However, his progress has been interrupted by fitness problems. The winger picked up an injury in Millwall’s opening game of the season and has not featured since then.

Why Femi Azeez could miss Brighton vs Sunderland clash

The Super Eagles forward had been in contention to make his Brighton debut against Sunderland, but the latest update from head coach Fabian Hurzeler reveal that he will have to wait a little longer.

Hurzeler confirmed that the 25-year-old is a doubt for Saturday’s trip to the Stadium of Light, explaining that the club does not want to rush him into action before he is physically ready for the demands of the Premier League.

“What I mean by that is his body needs to adapt to our intensity, to our demands, the demands in the Premier League. I think he’s feeling now that he’s in his adaptation phase”, he revealed pre-match.

Although Azeez is facing a possible delay to his Brighton debut, Hurzeler clarified that the forward has not suffered another injury.

Instead, the coach explained that the 25-year-old has experienced minor physical issues, which the club wants to manage carefully as he adjusts to his new surroundings.

“It’s not an injury but there are some small, minor issues and, again, he’s a player who is quite sensitive. We have to get a feeling now of what makes sense for him.

“Does it make sense to play tomorrow, does it make sense to play in the next game?

“It’s a decision we have to do together”, he added.

The Brighton manager further revealed that the club would rather give Azeez enough time to settle into his new environment than risk rushing him back before he is ready.

“Like with all the new players, we have to be patient. That’s no surprise for us. We are patient with every player who steps new into this environment.

“We try to give him a good environment where you can improve and where he can adapt to certain things.

“Some players need more time, some players are quicker. We have to see how Femi reacts to this”, Hurzeler concluded.

Super Eagles star could return against Crystal Palace

With Brighton keen to manage his fitness carefully, Azeez will hope to be ready for the Seagulls’ next fixture against Crystal Palace next weekend.

The Super Eagles winger will first need to meet Brighton’s requirements and prove that he is ready to feature for the club in the encounter, and his return to action would increase competition in the club’s attack.

Brighton are unwilling to take unnecessary risks to avoid aggravating his situation and he would now be targeting the game next weekend to announce his arrival to the club’s supporters.

The Seagulls have enjoyed a superb start to the season and will be hoping to continue that form when they face Sunderland later today.