Premier League: Brighton defender Van Hecke out for six weeks with ‘significant tear’

New Delhi, Oct 2 (IANS) Brighton and Hove Albion defender Jan Paul Van Hecke is set for an extended period on the sidelines which could amount to six weeks after scans indicated a ‘significant tear’ on his groin. He missed out on Brighton’s 2-4 loss to Chelsea on Saturday.“I’ve been wearing it for a while and also played matches with it, but in the final phase against Nottingham Forest, it hit my groin. Afterwards, we had a scan made and it became clear that there was a significant tear.“It remains to be seen how the rehabilitation will go, but in principle, it will take six weeks. I feel like I’m a little ahead of schedule. I hope that things will go a little faster and that I can connect again sooner, van Hecke told ESPN.Jan Paul van Hecke joined Albion from NAC Breda in September 2020, signing a three-year contract. The centre-back was immediately loaned out to Heerenveen for the 2020/21 season, where he made 28 appearances.Jan Paul spent the following campaign out on loan, enjoying his first taste of English football with Blackburn Rovers. He helped them to an impressive eighth-placed finish, notably becoming the first loan player to win their Player of the Season award.The Dutch defender made his Premier League debut in a 1-0 home win over Leeds in August 2022, before making his first top-tier start in a 2-2 draw at Leicester City. He finished the 2022/23 with eight Premier League appearances. He signed a new deal with Brighton in December 2023 that runs until June 2027.--IANSaaa/bsk/

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