Brighton & Hove Albion vs Derby County preview - Bruno to miss out for Brighton

Posted Monday, March 02, 2015 by PA

Brighton defender Bruno could miss the visit of leaders Derby.

The Spanish right-back suffered a groin injury during Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Bolton and was replaced by Dale Stephens, who is now pushing for a first start in 10 months having recovered from an ankle problem.

If Bruno is ruled out his place in the squad could go to utility-man Greg Halford, who is fit after missing the last three matches with a knee injury.

Kemy Agustien (thigh), Andrew Crofts (knee) and Solly March (calf) remain sidelined.

Former Brighton loanee Darren Bent will miss a return to the AMEX Stadium as Derby's injury problems begin to mount.

Bent suffered a hamstring problem against another of his old clubs Fulham on Saturday and the striker will be out for between three and four weeks. It leaves the Rams short up front as leading scorer Chris Martin will miss at least two more matches with the hamstring injury he sustained towards the beginning of last month.

George Thorne, who recently returned from a long-term knee injury, is back in the treatment room with a thigh strain while fellow midfielder John Eustace remains about three weeks away from a return to fitness following cartilage surgery.

Meanwhile, teenage midfielder Ivan Calero has returned to Derby after his loan spell with League Two neighbours Burton.