Roberto De Zerbi ponders potential Evan Ferguson start for Brighton at Crystal Palace

Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi says he is weighing up whether to start Evan Ferguson against rivals Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 18-year-old Republic of Ireland striker picked up an injury after a tackle from behind by Liverpool midfielder Fabinho in the FA Cup at the end of January.

But fears of a lengthy lay-off were allayed. Although the former Bohemians centre-forward missed Brighton's last league game against Bournemouth, De Zerbi confirmed that Ferguson will be available versus Palace with the only question mark now whether he is involved from the start ahead of German forward Deniz Undav.

"Evan Ferguson is available, but I have a decision to make between him and Deniz Undav. He played well last week. Evan is more of a striker, but Deniz is also very important to how we play," the Italian said on Friday.

Ferguson has scored three Premier League goals and contributed two assists this season.

However, Brighton will still be without injured duo Adam Lallana and Levi Colwill, although the Seagulls will have World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister available again after he served a one-match ban for collecting five yellow card.