Roberto De Zerbi has said that Brighton & Hove Albion are on the lookout for two more signings after confirming that attacking midfielder Julio Enciso will be out for a long time with a meniscus cartilage injury in a knee.
Enciso, who who won the 2022/23 Budweiser Goal of the Season award, suffered the injury in training after making one start this season, the 4-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend.
"We will be without Julio for a long period," De Zerbi told Brighton’s official website. "It can happen in football, but I am sorry for him because he was playing really well, it is a shame for him.
"We are in a very good condition apart from that. There is a good atmosphere, we would like to finish Saturday evening at the top of the table with nine points."
De Zerbi said the loss of Enciso would require addressing in the transfer market, adding the need to replace midfielder Moises Caicedo, sold to Chelsea last week for a record reported fee of £115million.
“Without Julio, I think we need another attacker, and a midfielder because we lost Caicedo," De Zerbi said.
"It's not fair to speak about other players [at other clubs]. We have many options."
TV Info - Broadcasters
League leaders Brighton have made five senior signings this window – Mahmoud Dahoud, Joao Pedro, James Milner, Bart Verbruggen and Igor Julio.
They have been linked with moves for Ajax forward Mohammed Kudus and midfielders Carlos Baleba (Lille) and Albert Sambi Lokonga (Arsenal).
De Zerbi also confirmed that striker Evan Ferguson would make his first start of the season in Saturday's match at home to West Ham United.
