De Zerbi 'sorry' Brighton duo miss World Cup but 'it's an honour' to have eight players

Roberto De Zerbi is 'sorry' Brighton duo Lewis Dunk and Danny Welbeck won't be going to the World Cup after being omitted by Gareth Southgate.

Neither Dunk nor Welbeck were to be included in England's 26-man squad for the tournament.

Brighton will be represented at the World Cup with Spain goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Belgium striker Leandro Trossard.

De Zerbi said: "I am happy that Mac Allister, (Moises) Caicedo, Sanchez and others are participating in the World Cup.

"The most important competition and for us it is an honor to have eight players who can play in the World Cup.

"I'm sorry for Dunk and Welbeck, but I, the fans and the club should be very happy for the others."

Brighton will play their last Premier League game before the World Cup break, at home to Aston Villa on Sunday, fully fit.

De Zerbi picked up just two points from five games after taking over from Graham Potter, but the Italian has since won three successive league and cup wins.

Brighton's 3-1 Carabao Cup victory at Arsenal on Wednesday came with a much different side, boosting confidence levels further after the Seagulls scored seven goals in league wins over Chelsea and the United Wolves.

De Zerbi said, "Winning is more dangerous than losing. Now that we've won three in a row, the danger is thinking you can win without giving 100%.

"It's a mistake. We have to approach every game the same way and remember the right mentality to win the game.

"I want our players to enjoy the World Cup, it's a dream to be there.

"I will watch almost every game, but I am focused on Aston Villa now and preparing as best I can.

"Villa are a good team and I saw them against (Manchester) United, but we are in a good moment and I believe in my players.

"I would always like our team to start at 150% so that our fans can play with us. The start against Chelsea showed that and was important."

Brighton has no injury worries and had the bonus of Joel Veltman playing 90 minutes at Arsenal.

The Dutch defender has missed the last two league games after sustaining a calf injury at Manchester City last month.

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