Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma will miss the remainder of the season with a back injury, manager Roberto De Zerbi said on Tuesday.
“This is a very awful situation. He was forced to miss the game against Everton due to a back ailment. It’s a significant problem. I believe two or three months have passed, thus the season is over,” De Zerbi stated before of Wednesday’s FA Cup encounter against Wolves.
The Japan international has three goals and six assists in 26 appearances across all competitions this season, and he has been an important player since returning to the south coast in 2022.
Mitoma, 26, has already missed much of the 2023/24 season owing to an ankle ailment and his participation in the Asia Cup.
This latest setback comes at a critical moment for seventh-placed Brighton, who are chasing a top-six league finish while also competing in the FA Cup and Europa League.
The Seagulls go to Wolves on Wednesday for the fifth round of the FA Cup, missing Evan Ferguson and the suspended Billy Gilmour, while Danny Welbeck and Joel Veltman face late fitness checks.