Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma is expected to miss the remainder of this season with a back injury.

The Japan international, 26, missed the Seagulls' 1-1 Premier League draw with Everton because of the issue.

Brighton boss Roberto de Zerbi confirmed that Mitoma's season is now expected to be over.

"It's an important problem. I think two or three months, [so] finished [for] the season," said De Zerbi before Wednesday's FA Cup clash with Wolves.

"It's the back injury which kept him out against Everton."

After starring last season for the Seagulls as they qualified for the Europa League for the first time, Mitoma's campaign had already been partly disrupted by injury