Midfielder Kaoru Mitoma is unlikely to be part of Japan's AFC Asian Cup campaign. The assessment is based on the comments of Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi, who said on Wednesday that the injured winger could be out of action for four to six weeks.
"We've lost Kaoru for around six weeks. Four, five or six weeks. I don't think he can play in the Asian Cup with Japan," De Zerbi was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Kaoru Mitoma, 26, who has played 24 matches this season for the Sea Gulls, limped off with an ankle injury late in the second half of his team's 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last week. Mitoma left Selhurst Park on crutches and wore a protective boot, Reuters said in a report.
The Asian Cup kicks off on January 12 in Qatar with Japan playing their first group game against Vietnam two days later. "Tomorrow (Thursday), we have more or less 10 injured players, maybe less, maybe eight, but two players can't start the game," De Zerbi said ahead of Thursday's home match against fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Japan finished their 2019 Asian Cup campaign as runners-up, going down 3-1 against Qatar in the final.