Azeez begins team training at Brighton

Femi Azeez has taken a major step towards his Brighton & Hove Albion debut after returning to training with his new teammates.

The Super Eagles winger has not played a competitive minute for the Seagulls since joining from Millwall on deadline day, September 2.

The 25-year-old arrived at the Amex with a minor hamstring problem, which forced head coach Fabian Hurzeler to manage his workload carefully.

The injury ruled him out of Brighton’s Premier League meeting with Leeds United on September 5, and a setback later delayed his return beyond the September international break.

Brighton shared a photo of Azeez training with the first-team squad ahead of Saturday’s trip to Sunderland.

If the club’s medical unit gives the green light, he could be involved at the Stadium of Light.

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According to The Argus, Hurzeler had spoken before the international break about expected good news on the injury front.

“I have hope with Minteh, I have hope with Jack Hinshelwood, and I am quite positive also Femi will be back in a good mood and on a good level,” he said.

“Svoboda is also back in training. I am quite positive that we see a lot of players back.”

Evan Ferguson and Stefanos Tzimas will be absent, as will Kaoru Mitoma in all likelihood. Yasin Ayari missed Sweden’s last two games with a virus, but no other injury setbacks have been reported among players on international duty.

Even when fit, Azeez faces a battle for a place. Brighton have started the season in thrilling form, beating Aston Villa 4-0, Coventry City 5-0 and Arsenal 3-0 in the league, and Manchester United 3-2 in the Carabao Cup.

Azeez, however, tormented defences in the Championship last season, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists in 37 appearances. He helped Millwall reach the play-offs, where Hull City ended their promotion hopes, and he made both the PFA and EFL Championship teams of the season.