Brighton's Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley are back in training ahead of the trip to Liverpool

Brighton & Hove Albion striker Joao Pedro has returned to first-team training and could feature in Saturday's Premier League game at Liverpool, head coach Fabian Hurzeler said on Thursday.

The 23-year-old Brazil international has missed Brighton's last five games in all competitions after suffering an ankle injury in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest on September 22.

“Joao Pedro will be back in training,” said Hurzeler.

“Some players will be back on the pitch. We now have to wait and see how Joao comes back from a long injury to see if he will be an option, but he is back in training.”

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Brighton captain Lewis Dunk will also be assessed after missing the team's last two games with a calf injury, while full-back Ferdi Kadioglu may be available despite being substituted in Wednesday's defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup.

Matt O'Riley, who has yet to make his Premier League debut for the club after transferring from Celtic in the summer, is also back in training.

“We have to see how Lewis is in training,” said Hurzeler. “We also need to see Matt O'Riley – he's back in training – and when he might be ready to be in the squad.

“I think Ferdi Kadioglu (the injury) is not that bad. Hopefully he’ll be an option for Saturday.”

Brighton are in sixth place in the Premier League with 16 points from their first nine league games.

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