Hurzeler tips Azeez for Brighton chance after break

Brighton head coach, Fabian Hurzeler, has said Super Eagles forward, Femi Azeez, could be in contention for his debut after the international break, provided he reaches the required physical level.

Azeez will miss Saturday’s home game against Premier League champions Arsenal at the American Express Stadium as he continues his recovery from injury.

The 25-year-old joined the Seagulls from Millwall on transfer deadline day in a deal worth just over £15m, but he is yet to play for the club.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference on Friday, Hurzeler said the break offered Azeez the chance to get fit and adapt to the way Brighton play.

“He needs to use this upcoming international break to get back to his highest physical level and get used to our style of play,” Hurzeler told BBC Sport.

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“Firstly, we will look to work with him individually, then hopefully he will be integrated back into the team. Definitely, after the international break, he will be at a top level, and then we can use him in games. So that’s the plan. Hopefully, it will come like this, but, yeah, let’s see.”

Azeez was injured just a few minutes into Millwall’s 2-0 win over Bristol City in the opening game of the 2026/27 Championship season.

He has missed Brighton’s last three games, including the Carabao Cup third-round tie against Manchester United, when Hurzeler had said he was close to featuring.

The injury also cost him a place in the Super Eagles squad named by Eric Chelle for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as the friendly against Russia.

Azeez had a strong 2025/26 campaign with Millwall, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in the Championship. He could make his debut in Brighton’s first game after the break, against Sunderland.