INJURY CRISIS DIMS VELT’S EURO VISION

BRIGHTON’S Joel Veltman has never experienced a season where he has seen so many long-term injuries.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi (below) is missing a number of stars – including long-term absentees Solly March and Kaoru Mitoma – and now striker Evan Ferguson has been ruled out for the final games of the campaign.

And that has left the Seagulls, well beaten by Manchester City on Thursday night as the champions eased to a 4-0 victory, limping towards the end of a season which has also seen them play in Europe for the first time.

The list of unavailable players has unquestionably impacted their ambitions.

But Veltman (top left) insists they will still hold on to any chance of European football – despite their casualty list.

Ahead of Brighton’s trip to Bournemouth tomorrow, Veltman said: “We’ve had this all season, loads of injuries and long ones, which I’ve never experienced in my career. It is frustrating, but we’re still near the top 10. If we’re realistic, though, it’s been a tough season.

“Still a small chance for the European spots with tough games to go, but we’ll go for it 100 percent, that’s how we are.” Brighton played into City’s hands at the Amex with their desire to play out from the back leading to Phil Foden’s second goal just before half-time. Veltman refused to point the finger and insisted the south coast side will conduct their own review.

He said: “Always look in the mirror first before you look at the opponents.

“Of course we can do better, but they were just a level too high for us, which is why they’re top of the league. Without Haaland they don’t really have a proper striker, so they have loads of players in midfield.

“They have really good players to play out of our pressure and you have to credit them for how they are.”