Brighton are poised to be without their most reliable defender for six weeks following a groin injury.
Jan Paul van Hecke missed the 4-2 loss at Chelsea last Saturday after a scan found a “significant tear,” to the groin.
The 24-year-old admitted he had been playing with the condition for a while but it became more of a concern during the final moments of the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium on September 22.
“I’ve been wearing it and playing matches with it for a while, but it hit my groin in the last phase against Nottingham Forest.”After that, we had a scan done, and it showed that there was a large tear.
Although the exact course of the recovery is unknown, it should take six weeks. I think I’m running a little bit ahead of schedule. “I’m hoping for a little speed bump so I can get back online sooner,” he continued.
Both the individual and the team are dealt a serious blow. Van Hecke has been one of Brighton’s most reliable center backs this season as Adam Webster has struggled and Lewis Dunk is still trying to regain his best form.
Van Hecke may miss Tottenham (h), Newcastle (a), Wolves (h), Liverpool (a, Carabao Cup), Liverpool (h), and Manchester City (h) if he is sidelined for the next six weeks. Following the international break, the away trip to Bournemouth on November 23 would be a reasonable comeback date.
Additionally, he will be absent from The Netherlands’ October 11 and October 14 Nations League Group Three matches against Hungary and Germany.
“It’s unfortunate and disappointing that I had to suffer this injury at this time, but injuries are never good,” Van Hecke stated. You must develop coping mechanisms for that. I’ll make sure to return as quickly as I can.
Brighton currently has a long list of injured players, including Solly March (knee), Joel Veltman (sickness), Matt O’Riley (ankle), Joao Pedro (ankle), James Milner (hamstring), Simon Adingra (muscular), and Brajan Gruda (unspecified).