BERAM KAYAL has been backed to cope with the anguish of missing at least NINE matches for Albion.

The influential Israeli midfielder has been sidelined until December at earliest by an ankle fracture.

Kayal was forced off halfway through the home win against Barnsley last month.

A slight fracture above the right ankle could have been treated without surgery but Albion decided it was in Kayal’s best interests to have an op.

He has already missed two games and will be sidelined from at least another seven between Preston’s visit to the Amex tomorrow and the home fixture against Fulham at the end of November.

That is the best case scenario. The Seagulls have a further six matches in December, starting and ending against Cardiff.

Kayal was haunted by injury problems with previous club Celtic but had missed just four out of 55 Championship outings with Albion prior to his current setback.

Boss Chris Hughton told The Argus: “I think he’s okay at this moment. There are some injuries which can be a little bit complicated. This injury is very straightforward.

“He will make a full recovery from it. That being the case he is happier with that situation but, of course, nobody wants to be out injured and not for a period of time.

“He will be disappointed but the fact that it is very straightforward lessens the blow.”

Kayal’s injury is bad news as well for Israel, ruling him out of next month’s World Cup qualifier in Albania.

Ankle damage has also ruled out Liam Rosenior until December but Solly March (knee and shin), Kazenga LuaLua (knee) and Richie Towell (knee) are all closing in on returns.

March plays for the under-23s against Blackburn at Crawley on Monday night (7pm). Towell returns to training tomorrow and LuaLua next week.