GRAHAM Potter will begin his reign at Albion without Jose Izquierdo.

The Colombian winger has undergone knee surgery for the second time in a matter of months and will miss the start of the 2019-20 season.

The operation was delayed until Albion were safe from relegation and then took place before the end of the season.

It is not expected to sideline Izquierdo for a sustained period but he will be missing when the Seagulls' third Premier League campaign, and Potter's first as head coach, commences in August.

Izquierdo played a big part in Albion staying up after signing from Brugge two summers ago, contributing five goals and four assists.

He suffered cartilage damage playing for his country at last summer's World Cup in Russia, which eventually required surgery.

A different tear to the same cartilage against Crystal Palace at the Amex in December led to another spell out of the side.

Izquierdo was involved mainly from the bench towards the end of the season as Albion finished a place above the relegation zone under former boss Chris Hughton.

His lengthy absences, together with those of Pascal Gross who also had two spells on the sidelines through injury, were a significant blow to Hughton's attacking options.

The Argus exclusively revealed in March that Izquierdo had been comforted by the prayers of a friendly Colombian priest during his injury troubles.

The latest setback has denied him the chance to make an impression under new national coach Carlos Queiroz at the Copa America in Brazil in June and July.