Femi Azeez could be ready to make his Brighton debut after the next international break, manager Fabian Hurzeler has said, Footynaija reports.
The 25-year-old winger has not played for Brighton since joining the Premier League club, with an injury delaying the start of his time at the Amex Stadium.
Azeez has been working on his fitness while also learning how Brighton play. He will miss Saturday’s Premier League meeting with champions Arsenal, but Hurzeler believes the winger can use the current break in the season to get ready for first-team football.
“I think that the best for Femi is, like what I just mentioned, that he uses exactly this period to get back to his highest physical level and then get used to our style of play. Then we will try to work with him individually and then hopefully integrate him back into the team.”
Hurzeler said Brighton do not want to rush Azeez back before he is fully prepared.
The manager also gave the Super Eagles winger a possible timeline for his return, raising hopes that he could soon compete for a place in the team.
“Definitely, after the international break, he will be at a top level and then we can use him in games. So that’s the plan. Hopefully, it will come like this, but, yeah, let’s see.”
Azeez’s absence has also affected his international career.
He was left out of Nigeria’s squad for the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, as well as the friendly against Russia.












