Hughton relishing Lazio test

Albion manager Chris Hughton is looking forward to the test Italian giants Lazio will provide at the Amex on Sunday.
Albion boss Chris Hughton. Picture by Phil WestlakeAlbion boss Chris Hughton. Picture by Phil Westlake
Albion boss Chris Hughton. Picture by Phil Westlake

Brighton go into the game on the back of a 4-0 friendly win over Oxford in midweek and Hughton said: “The Oxford win was probably our best of pre-season, so it’s nice to think that you are making progress in a way of playing, conditioning and so on. And it’s good to have a really good test as what we will do on Sunday.

“We know the level of the Lazio team, they’re a very good and very experienced team and have played a very high level for a long time but we will prepare ourselves as we would do for a league game.

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“It will be a little bit of the unknown but we have found out as much as we can and it’s very much about our own performance and how well we’re able to play on the day.”

Defender Connor Goldson and midfielders Steve Sidwell and Richie Towell are set to miss the game and Hughton said: “Connor is not far away but he’ll miss out on Sunday, although we’re pushing him as hard as we can.

“Steve Sidwell didn’t train today and he’ll be touch and go but that’s certainly not one that’s an issue. Richie started pre-season very well and it’s a little bit of a precaution as he felt his knee a little bit but hopefully he’ll be available very soon, while Solly (March) and Uwe (Hunemeier) are going to take a little bit longer.”

On Albion’s pre-season campaign so far, Hughton said: “I think it’s gone pretty well, results could have been better but that’s certainly not the most important thing. The most important thing is you work towards a level and that level continues with Sunday’s game against Lazio.

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“You just hope that you can start the season where you want to be but it’s always very difficult to know because in the first league game the intensity and the meaning changes.”

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