---
title: "Brighton & Hove Albion: Graham Potter backs Aaron Connolly to quickly put injury troubles behind him"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-graham-potter-backs-aaron-connolly-key-player-injury-recovery/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Brighton & Hove Albion"
published: "2020-06-19T13:00:31Z"
modified: "2020-06-19T13:00:31Z"
---

# Brighton & Hove Albion: Graham Potter backs Aaron Connolly to quickly put injury troubles behind him

**Brighton striker [Aaron Connolly](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-transfer-rumours/aaron-connolly-profile/) has been backed by Graham Potter to play a vital role for the Seagulls after recovering from a knee injury.**

The 20-year-old was [injured](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/18527369.aaron-connolly-urged-take-chance-premier-league-run-in/) just before the Premier League was halted in March and looked set to miss the rest of the season, only for the three-month hiatus to neatly coincide with his convalescence. Now that he has [undergone surgery and returned to training](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/18527369.aaron-connolly-urged-take-chance-premier-league-run-in/), though, Potter feels the young Irishman could be a vital asset to the team as they seek to avoid relegation.

The manager told [The Argus](https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/18527369.aaron-connolly-urged-take-chance-premier-league-run-in/): “He has come back well and worked hard after the break. The physios have done a really good job on him.

“He is looking good, he is looking fit and strong and sharp and I think he can definitely help us over nine matches. He is a young player and a sprinter so you have to be careful with his recovery times. I think he will be ready to help us, that is for sure.”

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Connolly marked his [full Brighton debut](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/49861471) in style earlier in the season when he scored twice in the 3-0 win over Tottenham and enjoyed a prolonged run of appearances during the autumn, although he had been in and out of the team since December (as per [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aaron-connolly/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/434207/saison/2019/wettbewerb/GB1/verein/1237)).

The Seagulls face Spurs’ London rivals Arsenal tomorrow and he was in the [line-up that won at the Emirates Stadium](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/spielbericht/index/spielbericht/3219334) six months ago, although he has made just [two starts since then](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/344325/MatchStatistics/Aaron-Connolly), with Neal Maupay’s [eight goals virtually guaranteeing him a place](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/119822/Show/Neal-Maupay) in the first XI.

Connolly may also have been concerned to read transfer reports during the week linking the Seagulls with a potential €15m (£13.46m) move for Reims striker Boulaye Dia, as per [Le10 Sport](https://le10sport.com/football/mercato/exclu-mercato-lom-se-prepare-pour-boulaye-dia-507346) reported \[via [HITC](https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/06/15/report-brighton-have-three-summer-targets-including-15-assist-captain-and-13m-forward/)\].

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Having just recovered from a knee injury and played only [16 minutes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/344325/MatchStatistics/Aaron-Connolly) of Premier League football in the last five months, Connolly’s reintroduction to the Brighton team could be a gradual one.

However, with the Seagulls facing [nine matches in just 37 days](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/spielplandatum/verein/1237) in a sprint finish to the season, Potter is very likely to shuffle his pack as the games come thick and fast. In the young Irishman, the manager knows he has a player capable of making a significant impact, and the need for wins in their current relegation battle could amplify by the week.

\[freshpress-poll id=”305258″\]

Connolly could yet be the ace up Brighton’s sleeve in their survival fight, although he still has plenty to prove, having scored just [three goals in 22 games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aaron-connolly/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/434207/verein/1237) for the club so far.

***Brighton fans, do you think Connolly can have a big say in the Seagulls’ bid for Premier League survival? Comment below with your views!***