Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton & Hove Albion has confirmed that he has withdrawn from the Japan squad due to injury.
The 26-year-old was initially selected to play for the Samurai Blue in AFC World Cup qualifiers against Myanmar on Thursday and Saudi Arabia the following Tuesday.
Mitoma, on the other hand, has issued a joint statement with the Japan Football Association revealing that he has regrettably decided to withdraw from the national team squad to focus on his recovery from an unspecified injury.
“Because this is a World Cup qualifier, I joined the team believing in my ability to contribute,” the statement read, according to The Athletic.
“However, because I won’t be able to play at 100%, I’ve decided to let my teammates play on my behalf, which I deeply regret.”
“For now, I will work hard on recovering as soon as possible.”
Mitoma has emerged as a standout performer for Roberto De Zerbi’s side in the last year, contributing 13 goals and 12 assists in 58 appearances across all competitions.
However, the 18-cap Japan international has been ruled out of Brighton’s upcoming Premier League match against Nottingham Forest on November 25.
Mitoma is the ninth player to join Brighton’s growing injury list, with the Seagulls missing eight players in last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Sheffield United.
Evan Ferguson missed the game against the Blades due to a knee injury, and he is now a doubt for the Republic of Ireland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against the Netherlands on Friday.
Ireland manager Stephen Kenny, on the other hand, has revealed that the 19-year-old striker is “determined” to play against the Dutch, implying that the situation is not serious.
Captain Lewis Dunk, James Milner, Pervis Estupinan, and Tariq Lamptey are also injured, but De Zerbi believes the quartet, along with Ferguson, will be able to return after the international break.
“We lost Evan, but he wasn’t in perfect condition in Amsterdam (against Ajax),” De Zerbi told reporters, according to The Argus. “I don’t know what time it is, but I hope to see Evan, Tariq Lamptey, Estupinan, and Lewis Dunk after the break.”
“When we start the training, I hope and I think we can find them on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Solly March, Danny Welbeck, and Julio Enciso remain long-term absentees for the Seagulls, while Jakub Moder is close to returning after a 19-month layoff with a troubling knee injury.
Away from injuries, Brighton will be without midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud for the next three games after he was sent off for a late tackle in the draw with Sheffield United.
Brighton is currently eighth in the Premier League table, six points behind fifth-placed Aston Villa and seven points behind fourth-placed Tottenahm Hotspur.
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