Exclusive: Brighton rocked by Adam Webster ACL injury at pre-season camp
Brighton defender Adam Webster faces missing the majority of next season after suffering an ACL knee injury during his side’s training camp in Spain, sources have told Football Insider.
The 30-year-old has a poor injury track record and missed 18 games for the Seagulls last season due to hamstring and thigh-related issues.
When fit, Webster has been a crucial part of Brighton‘s recent success and the former England Under-19 international was integral to the club’s late-season run that saw them claim wins over Liverpool and Newcastle.
However, Fabian Hurzeler will once again be without the former Portsmouth defender for an extended period of time.
Brighton well-placed to deal with Webster injury
Hurzeler‘s side were dynamic and a fun side to watch last season as the South Coast side scored seemingly at will.
But on the flipside, their backline was leaky and struggled to keep pace with their dominant attack, conceding the sixth-most goals in the Premier League.
And despite selling two defenders already this summer in Pervis Estupinan to AC Milan and Valentin Barco to Strasbourg, the Seagulls have set about improving their back line.
Diego Coppola joined Brighton from Serie A side Hellas Verona in a deal worth £9.4million [The Athletic]. The 21-year-old was a target for several sides this summer and is already an Italy international.
Joining him at the Amex is Frenchman Olivier Boscagli, who departed PSV Eindhoven for the Premier League side, further bolstering Hurzeler’s defence.
Brighton suffer setback with transfer plans
Whilst the Seagulls look well-positioned to deal with their defender’s injury, the news will come as a blow to their transfer plans.
Amid interest from Everton, Brighton were ready to let Webster depart this summer, but that will no longer be an option as the defender is set to miss the majority of next season.
O’Rourke revealed to Football Insider in January that Wolves were keen on signing Webster, and whilst a move failed to materialise in the winter, the Old Gold still need additions to their back line this summer and the 30-year-old may have been an option they were willing to consider prior to his injury.