Aaron Connolly facing fight for Brighton future after injury setback

Aaron Connolly’s Brighton future is in doubt after an injury on loan to Hull which has hampered his chances of impressing head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

The Republic of Ireland forward misses mid-table Hull’s final Championship fixture of the season away to Luton Town on Monday with a toe problem which, combined with illness, has kept him out since February.

Connolly began the season on loan to Venezia when Graham Potter was in charge of Brighton, but the temporary move to the Serie B club didn’t work out.

A promising start to the 23-year-old’s switch to Hull in January under former Brighton utility player Liam Rosenior, including two goals in a 3-0 home win against QPR, has been wrecked by his absence.

Connolly, who has a year left on his contract at the Amex Stadium, will be hard-pressed to force his way into De Zerbi’s plans.

Fellow Irishman Evan Ferguson, 18, is shining under De Zerbi this season, while the Italian’s attacking options for next season have been strengthened by the club record near £30million ($38m) capture of 21-year-old Brazilian Joao Pedro from Watford.

Connolly’s Brighton career has gone into reverse since scoring twice on his full Premier League debut in a 3-0 home win against Tottenham in October 2019.

He hasn’t played for the club since starting a 1-0 home defeat by Wolves in December 2021.

(Photo: Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)