Brighton reveal how long Alexis Mac Allister is allowed off after winning the World Cup as Southampton, Arsenal and Everton await

It’s a decision Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club have never made during their long history – until their midfielder Alexis Mac Allister helped Argentina to the trophy in Qatar last Sunday.

Mac Allister, 23, was superb throughout the whole tournament for the Argentines and ended an intense month with a winners medal following their thrilling penalty shootout final victory against France.

Mac Allister and his teammates are currently celebrating in their homeland as the enormity of their achievement starts to sink in. Brighton meanwhile resume their season after the World Cup break on Wednesday night at Charlton Athletic in the Carabao Cup before their Premier League campaign starts on Boxing Day at Southampton. Arsenal then visit the Amex Stadium on December 31, before travelling to Everton January 3.

Albion, who are seventh in the Premier League, will need their top men firing as they look to maintain their push for Europe but Mac Allister has been offered an extended period of leave to recover from his World Cup exploits.

He is not expected back on the south coast until the new year – perhaps in time for their trip to Goodison Park.

“It is important to rest and enjoy with his family after one month of World Cup camp,” said head coach Roberto De Zerbi, speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup clash at the Valley.

“It was strong in terms of pressure, in terms of emotion. We will play with other players and we wait for him when he will be ready.”

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber previously said: “I think it would be pretty mean of us as a club not to allow him to go back to his country to celebrate with his family and friends. It’s actually his birthday as well on Christmas Eve.

“It’s going to be hard to get back to domestic action. We felt with his success, his birthday, with Xmas, he can settle down to a turkey, or more likely a beef lunch, with his family and then perhaps get focused back on domestic action.

“But it will be an adjustment. Alexis can’t wait to show the medal to the players and staff, and I think that shows what sort of special character he is.

“But it’s going to be a special few days in Buenos Aires and he and the Argentina squad deserve to celebrate that in their own country.”

Striker Danny Welbeck is not expected to feature at Charlton or Southampton after picking up an injury during the friendly draw with Aston Villa in Dubai last week.