Struijk out for Zalgiris tie, Hinshelwood set to return

Brighton will be without Pascal Struijk for Thursday's UEFA Conference League opener against Kauno Zalgiris at the Amex, with kick-off at 8pm. Manager Fabian Hürzeler confirmed the defender picked up a problem during the international break.

"He had some issues during the international break, he played 60 minutes against Sunderland but we try to manage him," Hürzeler said. "He won't be available tomorrow, but hopefully he will be back at the end of the week for Palace."

Jack Hinshelwood is in line to feature after his own spell on the sidelines. Hürzeler was brief but positive on the midfielder's fitness: "We can expect him to return."

Hürzeler also indicated he will rotate the squad for the match, with several players expected to be given opportunities. "There will definitely be changes. I can't say how many. It will be an opportunity for some players," he said.

Femi Azeez and Zadok Yohanna are both still working their way into contention but are not yet considered match-ready. "There's no big issue," Hürzeler said of Azeez. "We give them the environment to adapt to our demands and to how we want to play. It might take a little bit of time."

Opponents Kauno Zalgiris are making history on Thursday — it is the first time the Lithuanian champions have reached the group or league phase of a UEFA club competition. They qualified for the Conference League after falling at the playoff stages of both the Champions League and Europa League paths, and arrived in Brighton having won the Lithuanian Cup at the weekend.

The match will be officiated by Danish referee Mikkel Redder, with VAR support also provided by Danish officials.