ALBION are preparing to start the new season without Uwe Huenemeier.

But boss Chris Hughton is confident his German defender can play a big part in the 2016-17 campaign.

Huenemeier has been sidelined since just before Christmas by a serious groin problem.

Albion have taken things slowly with his recovery although there have been a couple of times when it seemed he might be close to a return.

Now the Seagulls’ boss has revealed he might not be quite ready for opening day on August 6.

Hughton told The Argus: “Uwe will be ready very close to the start of the season.

“He might miss the first week or couple of weeks. His schedule is around about the start of the season so he will not be far off.”

Solly March could also be missing when the season gets under way although Hughton has made it clear he expects him to be getting game time at some stage in pre-season.

The wideman has been ruled out since December by cruciate knee ligament damage.

Hughton said: “Solly’s dates are very early into the season but the good news is he has made really good progress and no setbacks.”

Albion will know their schedule for the season when Football League fixtures are released on Wednesday morning.

The Championship campaign starts on August 6, the same day as the city of Brighton and Hove hosts its annual Pride festival.

To see the fixtures from the moment they are released go to theargus.co.uk at 9am on Wednesday.