Brighton & Hove Albion head coach Roberto De Zerbi has confirmed that Adam Lallana will start in Tuesday's Premier League clash at home against Nottingham Forest.
The 34-year-old playmaker started each of the Seagulls' opening three top-flight games this season before sustaining a calf injury which ruled him out for the next five matches.
Lallana has since returned to full fitness and has featured off the substitutes' bench in each of De Zerbi's first three matches in charge of the club, but the Italian has revealed that Brighton's No.14 will be selected for their midweek clash against Forest.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Monday, De Zerbi said: "Tomorrow, Adam Lallana plays. We are fully focussed on trying to get the points and will be ready."
Lallana, a 34-cap England international as well as a Premier League and Champions League winner with Liverpool, has been at the Amex Stadium since leaving Anfield in the summer of 2020 and he is now regarded as a leader within the first-team squad.
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The former Southampton youngster supported Andrew Crofts during a temporary period in charge of the club following the departure of Graham Potter, and De Zerbi has since formed a strong bond with the Englishman since arriving on the South Coast.
"Maybe Adam is one of the players with who I have built one of the best relationships here," the Italian told Sussex Live last weekend.
"He has helped me a lot, including my staff. I think he can become a very good head coach but for now, he is still a very strong player and I believe I can count on him a lot."
The inclusion of Lallana in the starting lineup is set to see one of Pascal Gross, Leandro Trossard or Danny Welbeck drop out of the side, with the former seemingly the most likely candidate to begin on the bench against Forest.
De Zerbi has also confirmed that Japanese midfielder Kaoru Mitoma is ruled out of Wednesday's fixture due to an ankle injury, and he could also miss next Saturday's clash away at Manchester City.
After Brighton lost 2-0 at Brentford last Friday, Mitoma was seen leaving the stadium on crutches, and while the 25-year-old's injury is not thought to be serious, he is set to undergo scans to determine the severity of the damage.
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Brighton will also be without young defenders Jan Paul van Hecke and Levi Colwill who have recently picked up minor injuries.
"Kaoru Mitoma will miss this game for sure, and maybe Manchester City. It's his ankle," De Zerbi added. "Levi Colwill and Jan Paul van Hecke have some problems, but the others are in good condition."
De Zerbi is yet to win as Brighton boss since taking the reins last month, with an entertaining 3-3 draw at Liverpool followed by successive defeats against Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford.
However, the 43-year-old believes that his side have been unfortunate to come away with only one point from a possible nine available since his arrival, adding: "In my first three games, I think we have deserved more points and have been unlucky.
"We now must focus only on Forest. I have to understand what we've done well so far, and try to win the game."
Brighton currently sit seventh in the Premier League standings, but they could climb up to fifth with a victory against Forest, who are rooted to the foot of the table after losing six of their last seven matches.
Oliver Thomas
