Albion will challenge their back-up midfielders to take centre stage after losing Billy Gilmour for three games.

Carlos Baleba and Jakub Moder are leading candidates to step up after Gilmour was sent-off in the 1-1 draw with Everton.

The Scot will be banned for the FA Cup trip to Wolves on Wednesday as well as the next two league games, breaking up his partnership with Pascal Gross.

Roberto De Zerbi sees Baleba, who has yet to really find his Premier League feet, as a more direct replacement for Gilmour.

But the head coach has shown an ability to adapt when he was without wingers and full-backs.

De Zerbi said: “We have lost Jack Hinshelwood, who could play in a midfield position.

“At this moment we are going to play with one of Jakub Moder or Carlos Baleba and I am happy because they need to play.

“My expectations for them are big and they have to show they are good enough to stay and to play in the first XI.

“I love all my players and I don’t have a preference or one yes and one no.

“But I have to analyse the games, the performances, the training and then I decide the first XI, game by game.”

De Zerbi sees Gilmour as his only genuine playmaker.

He added: "I think Carlos Baleba has those qualities but he is very young. He is new in Brighton.

“Okay, he arrived last summer but he didn’t play so many games.

“But I believe in Carlos. I think Carlos can become one of the best players in the Premier League, for sure.

“I believe in Jakub Moder. He is closer to Pascal Gross and Carlos can be the replacement for Bill but I have not decided yet the first XI for the next game at Wolves."

Kaoru Mitoma missed the Everton game with a back injury and De Zerbi was unsure when he would return as he spoke after seeing Lewis Dunk scored on his 400th league appearance to salvage a point.