Smith missing for Seagulls

21 January 2011 09:30
Brighton will be without Jamie Smith when they head along the south coast to face Bournemouth. Midfielder Smith suffered a fractured metatarsal in training on Monday and could be sidelined for up to eight weeks. Left-back Jim McNulty and midfielder Alan Navarro are the only other injury absentees for the leaders. McNulty is recovering from recent ankle surgery and Navarro is stepping up his rehabilitation from a ruptured cruciate ligament. Manager Gus Poyet could therefore stick with the side which beat Peterborough 3-1 last weekend. However, midfielder Gary Dicker could be preferred to recent signing Craig Noone if Poyet opts for a more defensive line-up away from home. The Seagulls have won their last three matches and are four points clear at the top.

Source: PA