Albion boss Chris Hughton has calmed fears about another devastating injury blow for Jose Izquierdo.

The Colombian winger will play no further part in the Seagulls’ fight for Premier League survival at Arsenal tomorrow and at home to Manchester City a week later.

The club are on the brink of deciding whether Izquierdo needs a second operation this season on knee cartilage damage.

He seems certain to be ruled out for Colombia of the Copa America in Brazil in June and July.

But Hughton is confident Izquierdo will make a full recovery if surgery is required again.

Hughton, speaking yesterday, told The Argus: “This will be determined probably in the next day.

“He’s had a problem that we’ve had to manage for this period of time and we’ve probably got to a stage where it will be determined whether he will have an op or not.

“We are probably at that stage now as opposed to him continuing on for the rest of the season.

“I think it’s always a concern and a disappointment. When ever a player is injured or coming through an injury, there’s always that feel for the player. Ultimately all you want is an injury cleared up or for it not to be for a good period of time and to make a recovery.

“I think in the modern day era most injuries they pick up now, and even after operations, they tend to make full recoveries and move on, so it is what it is.”

Izquierdo made his first start since December last month at Wolves but has been well below his impressive form of last season in a series of mainly substitute appearances.

He exclusively revealed to The Argus in March he had been comforted by the prayers of a friendly Colombian priest after suffering cartilage damage playing for his country at last summer’s World Cup, which eventually required surgery, and then sustaining a different tear to the same cartilage against Crystal Palace at the Amex in December.

Beram Kayal, forced out of last Saturday’s 1-1 home draw against Newcastle by a hamstring injury, is available to face Arsenal but fellow midfielder Davy Propper (also hamstring) remains sidelined.

Izquierdo’s absence is likely to prompt a return to the matchday squad for record signing Alireza Jahanbakhsh, who was left out against Newcastle.