Are you struggling to keep track of every update about the “small injury” which has kept Kaoru Mitoma side lined since Brighton won 3-1 at Chelsea & Hove Albion on September 28th 2025?
Then you have come to the right place. Welcome to the Kaoru Mitoma Injury Update Live Tracker. The best source on the internet to see how Mitoma is recovering one two three four five six seven eight nine weeks into his “small injury”.
67 minutes had elapsed at Stamford Bridge when Mitoma limped off. He took a kick to the foot which has also impacted his ankle.
Fabian Hurzeler has described the injury as small; although as we all know, The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History has a pretty wild opinion of what constitutes as minor problem.
Who can forget the small injury which ruled James Milner out for longer than a full nine month pregnancy in the 2024-25 season? Or Ferdi Kadioglu and the worst case of a broken toe in human history, resulting in eight months in the treatment room?
Important players Milner and Kadioglu might be, but nobody is as vital to Brighton as Mitoma. Which is why the Kaoru Mitoma Injury Update Live Tracker exists.
Here are how things are going so far.
Thursday 2nd October 2025: Day-by-day monitoring of Mitoma
Eight days after the victory over Chelsea and Brighton travel to Wolves. Hurzeler has a semi-positive update regarding Mitoma in his Thursday press conference 72 hours before kick off.
The Albion are taking it day-by-day and a decision will be made over his participation at Molineux closer to the time. “Let’s see,” said Hurzeler.
Friday 17th October: Mitoma back in training
Mitoma missed the 1-1 draw against Wolves and remained in England during the October international break. Japan drew 2-2 with Paraguay and defeated Brazil 3-2 in a pair of friendlies.
The Albion return to action, hosting Newcastle United at the Amex. Hurzeler says in his Friday press conference: “Both Kaoru Mitoma and Joel Veltman are in training, but we still have to assess them as well.”
“There is still a question mark on both. Therefore we have to wait to see how they are doing and then we can make a decision.”
Friday 24th October: Mitoma getting close to the team
Brighton manage to beat Newcastle 2-1 without Mitoma. But his return for the trip to Old Trafford would be a significant boost. Mitoma scored one and set one up when the Albion ran out 3-1 victors away at Manchester United last season.
Hurzeler offers a positive injury update; not just on Mitoma but also Veltman and Brajan Gruda. “They are all close to the team, so maybe one of or two of them might be available,” he said.
“They don’t have big issues. They’re small issues. They are nothing serious. I can’t say that they all will be available. I can’t say that they won’t be available. We have to see how Friday goes and then we have to make a decision.”
Friday 31st October: We will see Mitoma before the next international break
The trip to Old Trafford ends in a disappointing 4-2 defeat. To the surprise of Brighton fans everywhere and despite that positive injury update on all three of Mitoma, Veltman and Gruda, none even make the bench against United.
Hurzeler is asked directly in his press conference before 1996 Coca Cola Cup Runners Up The Leeds United come to the Amex if the issue with Mitoma is more problematic than first thought.
“No, no, honestly not,” he responds. “He is back on the pitch, he is training. I don’t think that it is a big issue. And I think we can see him even before the international break.”
Thursday 6th November: Mitoma is very close to being an option
Leeds are easily swatted aside 3-0. The last game before the November international break sees Brighton go to Crystal Palace.
A game the Albion cannot afford to lose after seeing the Eagles do the league double in the fixture last season for the first time since 1932-33 before going onto win the FA Cup.
“Kaoru is very close to being an option – that’s positive,” said Hurzeler in his Thursday morning press conference.
“Percentage-wise it’s a 50-50. We have to see how he is doing the training sessions. How he is doing today, how he is doing tomorrow and then we will have a look.”
The concept of a “50-50 chance” being “very close” is interesting. I would love to see Hurzeler at the roulette table in the Grosvenor Casino taking that approach.
Friday 21st November: Not easy to predict when Mitoma will be back
No Mitoma in the 0-0 draw at Palace. No Mitoma for Japan in the November international break. And now no Mitoma when Brentford come to the Amex.
In fact, Hurzeler said in his press conference 24 hours before facing the Bees that he could now not predict a return date.
“With Kaoru, it’s not an easy thing to predict. In the last international break I said it is just a question of two or three weeks. But now he is getting close.”
“He has to handle the pain, so it is not a big issue. Everything is healed, so he should be fine. We just have to see how he can handle the pain.”
“When he will be back, I am sure that it won’t take that long. Everything is fine structurally. Now it is just about handling the pain and that is something what we have to work with him on.”
A Mitoma injury update as clear as mud.
Thursday 27th November: Should see Mitoma before Christmas
After beating Brentford 2-1 on a dramatic afternoon at the Amex, attention turns towards the trip to Nottingham Forest. Where there will be no Mitoma again. But he is still getting close…
Hurzeler says three days before the Brighton visit the City Ground: “Kaoru is getting close. I am quite positive that we see both James and Kaoru before Christmas.”
Christmas is four weeks and five matches away.
