Promising Brighton forward hopes to return from injury 'stronger than ever'

The Ecuadorian winger suffered a hamstring injury against West Ham which is set to keep him out of action for the next three to four months.

Sarmiento joined the club from the Portuguese side Benfica in the summer and was only ten minutes into his Premier League debut when the injury occurred.

Scans revealed that the 19-year-old needed surgery in order to aid his recovery from the injury.

Sarmiento speaking to El Universo, an Ecuadorian newspaper, said: "Unfortunately, I got injured against West Ham. It was a weird thing.

Brighton and Hove Albion player Jeremy Sarmiento

"I don’t know exactly what it was, but I would imagine on one of the plays I was going to retrieve the ball, and I slowed down, all my weight was on my left leg, and I felt a twinge.

"I tried to keep playing, but the pain kept coming on. So I decided to stop, and from there, we saw the results. Of course, it’s not good at all, but I’m focused on recovery and coming back stronger than ever.

"I spoke with the physios and teammates, and that was the best option to operate.

"I have two teammates who had the same problem, and they told me that was the best option they took. I knew it was the only option I had."

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The forward's injury added to the club's injury list that now contains Lewis Dunk, Danny Welbeck, Steven Alzate, Adam Lallana and Adam Webster.

Leandro Trossard is also being assessed after he hurt his elbow against Southampton.

However his agent has suggested that the forward will be fit for the match against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, if the game goes ahead after the London side's covid outbreak.