Hurzeler on Dunk, inconsistency and Howell's future

[ASFN Admin]

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Hurzeler confirmed that Lewis Dunk and Diego Gomez return after serving their respective suspensions, while Danny Welbeck and Jan Paul van Hecke will both train before the weekend and are expected to be available. He also added that they have to go "day to day and follow the procedure" with Mats Wieffer, but he looks "positive" and could also be fit to feature.
• On captain Lewis Dunk being back and reports he has triggered a contract extension: "He's my captain, he's my skipper. I think we know his value. He proved it this season so far. Although he had a tough start, he really fought himself back into the season. He had some great performances and he's the leader on the pitch, beside the pitch. That's why we're happy that he's back."
• With the January transfer window about to open, the Brighton boss confirmed that questions over Harry Howell's future are "just rumours, just noise" after speaking to him and his agent.
• He added: "Big potential that Harry Howell can be a big, big player for us, but first of all, it's about work. It's about hard work. It's about delivering it every day, every training session. I have to go inside and I have to to think about sending him to a doping test because he was so good in training. That's what I demand from the young players."
• Hurzeler would not be drawn into specifics of areas and players they are looking at next month, but said there is "a regular exchange" with those in charge and "the transfer market will be open and let's see if we will be active".
• On going four games without a win and if any changes have been made to training: "Why should we change is the question? Because we know the issue. The issue is we have to overcome the consistency thing. We have to play for 90 minutes well. We have to understand that it's about scoring goals, it's about defending the goals, doing the small margins right and not only for 10 or 15 minutes. It's about doing it for 90, 92 minutes, 93 minutes."
• Without a fixture in the traditional 26 December slot, Hurzeler is hopeful he can give players more time off to see their families: "It's so important for their mental health, it's so important for them to see their family and to enjoy the time. That's why I try to give them the most time off as possible and I think that's all my responsibility. And then I hope that they come back stronger."

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