PARKER'S PRE-MATCH POINTS: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (A)

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Clarets boss previews Brighton trip

2026-01-02T15:05:26.679Z

PARKER'S PRE-MATCH POINTS: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION (A)

Clarets boss previews Brighton trip

2026-01-02T15:05:26.679Z

MATCH PREVIEW: BURNLEY V MANCHESTER UNITED - Image 5

Scott Parker is expecting a tough challenge at the Amex Stadium on Saturday afternoon as the Clarets take on Brighton & Hove Albion in their next Premier League clash.

Ahead of the journey to East Sussex the Gaffer spoke to the media about the latest injury news, his players' reaction to going behind early on against Newcastle earlier in the week and aiming to cause Brighton problems.

INJURIES STRETCHING THE SQUAD

“Max [Estève] won’t make the weekend. He’s done some work on the grass today but obviously with the dynamics of how things went the last game really, it’s probably too much to risk with such a short turnaround. We can’t afford the same situation in game to have to make changes that early. We’re siding on the air of caution. Pick him up, get some good work into him and hopefully he’ll be fit for Wednesday. We’re hoping for a speedy recovery.

“Joe Worrall’s moving in the right direction, the next two games may come a little bit quick for him.

“Again, Zian is similar to Joe. Maybe there’s an option there a little bit quicker.

“We are where we are in terms of the injuries, we’re extremely stretched, we’ve hit a bit of a bad run with injuries, but nothing new. It seems a lot is not going our way in terms of that, so the squad is stretched.”

REFLECTING ON NEWCASTLE

“We gave ourselves an absolute mountain to climb after the first 7 minutes. Everything you’ve prepped and everything you’ve done up until that minute; it then becomes an uphill task for us.

“I thought our reaction after the two goals was a massive positive and spoke volumes of this group. I thought we were very dominant and played really well. We showed a real endeavour about us. But the defining factor was you concede those early goals against a very good side; it becomes a bit of a harder challenge.”

THE SEAGULLS

“They’re a very good side, a well-coached team. A team that has got individual quality and a team with a really clear idea of how they play and they cause you problems.

“It will be a tough game but as I always say, we’re in the Premier League where every game is a tough one.

“We’ll go there, put our best foot forward and hopefully we can cause Brighton some problems.”