Chris Hughton hopes Anthony Knockaert will take his frustration out on Crystal Palace
The Brighton midfielder has been kicking his heels for almost five weeks as he served a three-match ban for his red card at Everton last month
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Your support makes all the difference.Brighton boss Chris Hughton hopes Anthony Knockaert is about to take his frustration out on Crystal Palace.
French winger Knockaert has been kicking his heels for almost five weeks as he served a three-match ban for his red card at Everton last month.
But Knockaert, who has scored three goals this season, is back to boost Brighton's attack for the relegation run-in - starting at derby rivals Palace on Saturday.
"It's a big boost for us because of the ability he has," said Hughton. "It's been frustrating for him, and for us, but he's trained harder in this period of about five weeks since the Everton game. The reason for that is he knew he was going to miss games. His attitude in training and around the place has been excellent.
"I would look at Anthony the same way I would look at other players, it's about picking a team to play in a game and I would have no hesitation in playing Anthony in any game. If anything you've got somebody who is desperate to get back in to play and have an effect."
Knockaert's return is also timely as Brighton will be without Davy Propper for the next three matches.
Dutch midfielder Propper has been an ever-present in the Premier League this season but now begins a suspension after he was sent off in the 1-1 draw against Huddersfield last weekend.
Brighton appealed against the red card, shown after a 50-50 challenge with Town midfielder Jonathan Hogg, but the decision was upheld.
Hughton added: "We certainly wouldn't have appealed if we didn't feel we had a chance. Our opinion is still the same; that we've seen numerous challenges like that every Saturday that don't see a red card.
"That was our reasoning but we weren't successful and we have to move on."
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