Brighton’s Joao Pedro, Matt O’Riley are back in training ahead of the Liverpool trip

Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro has returned to first-team training and could feature in Saturday’s Premier League game at Liverpool, head coach Fabian Hurzeler said on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Brazil international has missed Brighton’s last five games in all competitions with an ankle problem picked up in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on 22 September.

“Joao Pedro will be back in training,” Hurzeler said.

“Some players will be back on the pitch. We will have to see now how Joao comes back from a long injury to see if he will be an option, but he is back in training.”

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Brighton captain Lewis Dunk will also be assessed after missing the team’s last two games with a calf injury, while full-back Ferdi Kadioglu could be available despite being substituted during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool.

Matt O’Riley, who is yet to make his Premier League debut for the club following his summer move from Celtic, is also back in training.

“We have to see how Lewis is in practice,” Hurzeler said. “We’ll also see Matt O’Riley – he’s back in training – and when he’ll potentially be ready to be in the squad.

“I think it’s not that bad with Ferdi Kadioglu (the injury). Hopefully he will be an option on Saturday.”

Brighton are sixth in the Premier League with 16 points from their first nine league games.

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