Brighton star Kayal out until December

(Picture: Action Images)

Brighton’s influential midfielder Beram Kayal has been ruled out until at least December after ankle surgery.

The Israeli, 28, suffered the innocuous looking injury just before half-time against Barnsley at the end of September, but the damage has now been revealed as worse than first thought.

Speaking to The Argus, Seagulls boss Chris Hughton said: “He’s ended up having a small operation where he had a very small fracture.

“The decision was whether to do a procedure or not and the decision was to have a procedure, so he will be out for a period of time now which is a big blow for us.

“It is certainly the best thing for him to have the procedure done and we will see him back in reasonable time. We are hoping to have him back at some stage in September.”

The injury is a big blow to Chris Hughton and his Brighton side, as Kayal has missed just six of the last 57 games, but in their last outing at Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton showed they have good depth in midfield.

Oliver Norwood and Steve Sidwell both performed brilliantly at Hillsborough during the impressive 2-1 win, while Dale Stephens is also back in contention for this weekend’s clash with Preston after suspension ruled him out of the trip to Yorkshire.

Hughton said: “Norwood and Sidwell both played really well at Sheffield Wednesday and we have really good competition at the moment.”