Roberto De Zerbi says Brighton need to strengthen ‘three or four positions’ in the January transfer window, and confirmed defender Joel Veltman will miss “a couple of months” with a knee injury.

De Zerbi has had to deal with a lengthy absentee list at times this campaign with Veltman joining Ansu Fati, Danny Welbeck, Julio Enciso, Solly March, Tariq Lamptey, Adam Webster and Pervis Estupinan on the sidelines.

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“Joel’s injury is not so big, but I think we’ve lost him for a couple of months,” De Zerbi said on Wednesday.

De Zerbi was then asked on Brighton’s need to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window with the club facing a busy schedule with their participation in the knockout stages of the Europa League.

“I have explained what we need, not only full-back,” De Zerbi added.

“We need I think three or four positions, but in the end the owner and the club decide whether to bring anyone in or not.”

Brighton are ninth in the Premier League but have won just two of their last 11 matches in the division.

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Brighton are now treated differently - that's down to De Zerbi

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