Brighton & Hove Albion forward Femi Azeez is facing a late fitness test ahead of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup third-round meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford, with the Nigerian still hoping to make his long-awaited debut for the Seagulls.
Azeez has yet to feature for Brighton since completing his move from Championship side Millwall on transfer deadline day. The 25-year-old attacker arrived at the Amex Stadium in a deal worth more than £15m, but an injury suffered at the beginning of the season has delayed his first appearance for the club.
Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has now provided an update on the Nigerian’s condition, confirming that Azeez will be assessed during training before a final decision is made over his availability for the trip to Manchester.
The situation leaves Azeez with one final opportunity to prove that he is ready to return to competitive action and potentially make his Brighton debut against one of the biggest clubs in English football.
Azeez picked up the injury during Millwall’s opening-day Championship fixture against Bristol City. He managed to feature in the match, which Millwall won 2-0, but the problem subsequently forced him to spend time on the sidelines.
The injury also meant that he missed Brighton’s most recent Premier League fixtures against Leeds United and Coventry City after completing his transfer to the Seagulls.
Hurzeler’s latest update, however, offers some encouragement that the winger could be available for selection if he completes training without experiencing any setback.
“Azeez needs to be assessed in training ahead of Wednesday’s EFL Cup game against Manchester United,” Hurzeler said ahead of the encounter.
A possible appearance at Old Trafford would represent an important moment for the Nigerian, particularly after an impressive campaign with Millwall last season.
Azeez scored 11 goals and provided seven assists across all competitions during the 2025/26 campaign, performances that earned him a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Season. His form also helped attract Brighton’s attention before the club completed his transfer.
The move to Brighton represents another significant step in the career of the former Reading winger, who has developed into an influential attacking player in the English game.
His ability to operate in wide attacking positions, combined with his pace and goal contributions, could provide Brighton with another attacking option if he is declared fit.
Brighton enter the Carabao Cup tie in confident mood after an emphatic 5-0 victory over Coventry City in their most recent match.
The Seagulls also drew 1-1 with Leeds United before their commanding win over Coventry, giving Hurzeler’s team positive momentum heading into their meeting with Manchester United.
The trip to Old Trafford will nevertheless present a different challenge.
Manchester United will be looking to respond in the competition after a difficult start to the season, while Brighton will be hoping their recent attacking form can carry over into the cup.
The fixture also offers an intriguing reminder of Brighton’s recent success against United. The Seagulls defeated Manchester United 2-1 in last season’s FA Cup, giving them confidence that they can compete against their more decorated opponents.
For Azeez, the focus will be entirely on his fitness.
A place in the travelling squad would be a major step forward after several weeks on the sidelines, while a debut at Old Trafford would give the Nigerian an opportunity to begin his Brighton career on a memorable stage.
The forward’s potential return also comes at an important time for Nigeria. His fitness could be monitored ahead of the country’s upcoming international fixtures, with the Super Eagles preparing for their next competitive assignments.
Azeez has therefore got more than just a club debut to look forward to. If he successfully passes his final assessment, Wednesday’s encounter could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his career.
Brighton will make the final decision after assessing the forward in training, leaving Azeez facing a nervous wait before knowing whether he will finally pull on the Seagulls shirt for the first time.
For now, the Nigerian’s Brighton debut remains a possibility, with the final verdict expected after his late fitness test ahead of the Manchester United clash.
