Brighton No2 Maldera: Mitoma stronger for Spurs run

Brighton assistant manager Andrea Maldera says Kaoru Mitoma will be stronger for last week's run with Tottenham.

Mitoma featured in the 2-1 defeat after returing from Japan's Asian Cup campaign.

Maldera said: Yes, he played well but I think he can do more, especially in the first half.

We had a doubt but we spoke with him in the morning and he said he was ready to play.

I know Mitoma and today he had sometimes a big pause and he is not 100% physically, maybe mentally.

But for us he is always a very important player and in the second half, better.

He had big chances and we are happy about his match because he gave us his willingness to play."