Brighton v Nottingham Forest predicted line-ups: Dunk & Wood injury latest for FA Cup clash

Brighton & Hove Albion host high-flying Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday in a pivotal match for both sides – but both sides have injury problems to contend with.

For Brighton, it’s a problem of quantity, with as many as nine players out or doubts for the match at the Amex Stadium, while for Forest it’s a quality issue with key striker Chris Wood suffering an injury while on international duty with New Zealand.

We’ve got the latest updates on the conditions of all of the affected players below along with our predicted line-ups ahead of a huge game for both sides.

Lewis Dunk among doubts for Brighton & Hove Albion

Fabian Hürzeler has had to make do without a number of first-team players in recent weeks as a series of injuries whittle down the German manager’s options, but several members of the walking wounded could return after the international break.

Lewis Dunk has been out of action with a rib injury since the last match between these two sides – the remarkable 7-0 thrashing at the City Ground at the start of February – but Hürzeler hinted that Dunk could return this weekend to boost Brighton’s hopes of avoiding a repeat of that devastating defeat.

Similarly Matt O’Riley (knee), Joël Veltman (ankle) and Solly March (muscular) are all likely to be back in contention, with confirmation of their returns hopefully coming during Hürzeler’s pre-match press conference.

There is less clarity over the availability of Tariq Lamptey, who has an ankle injury for which a return date has not yet been provided, while Brighton will not be able to call upon Ferdi Kadioğlu (ankle), James Milner, Igor (both thigh) or Jason Steele (shoulder). Kadioğlu is believed to be the closest to a return but the Turkey international may be out for around another four weeks.

Otherwise, the Seagulls came through the international break without any new injury worries that have been made public, and perhaps the biggest question is whether Danny Welbeck, the hero of the fifth-round win away to Newcastle United, will start.

Brighton predicted line-up v Nottingham Forest (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen; Estupiñán, Dunk, Van Hecke, Hinshelwood; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma; João Pedro.

Chris Wood set to miss out for Nottingham Forest

The build-up to Saturday’s game has been dominated by questions over whether leading goalscorer Chris Wood will be available as Forest aim to reach the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 1991. Wood was substituted in the second half of the 3-0 win over New Caledonia which earned New Zealand qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and it’s since been confirmed that the hip injury he sustained will sideline him for this weekend’s tie.

Nuno Espirito Santo told reporters on Thursday that Wood “will not be available” and that there is too much pain in his hip for Wood to play, but the full extent of the issue remains unclear, with the results of a detailed scan expected to be announced on Friday during the head coach’s press conference.

Otherwise, the only known injury concern in Forest’s squad relates to reserve goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, who has been out since February with a hamstring injury sustained while taking a goal kick. No return date has been set but it is hoped that he will be back to support Matz Sels some time in April.

The big question ahead of kick-off is whether Wood will be replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi up front, or whether Anthony Elanga might spearhead the attack, as he did alongside Wood in the 7-0 win in February, a game in which Santo switched to a 3-5-2 formation. Elanga picked up three assists on that occasion, which may strengthen his case, but it’s likely that Forest only line up with one centre-forward this weekend thanks to Wood’s absence.

Nottingham Forest predicted line-up v Brighton (4-2-3-1): Sels; Williams, Murillo, Milenković, Aina; Anderson, Domínguez; Hudson-Odoi, Gibbs-White, Elanga; Awoniyi.