Sanchez requests to be left out of Brighton’s squad for Newcastle trip

Robert Sanchez will not be part of Brighton & Hove Albion’s squad for the second game running at Newcastle United tomorrow night after he requested to stay at home.

The 25-year-old’s future on the south coast is up in the air after he lost his first-team spot to fellow goalkeeper Jason Steele.

Sanchez was omitted from Brighton’s squad for their 3-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday with Steele starting and Thomas McGill named on the subs’ bench.

And Brighton head coach Roberto De Zerbi has said Sanchez will continue to be sidelined after the Spain international’s request was accepted.

De Zerbi, speaking ahead of Thursday’s Premier League fixture, said when asked if Sanchez is training with the squad: “He decided everything. Robert decided everything at the moment.

“He wanted it this way (not travelling to be on the bench). Not me, not the club.

“We spoke before the Arsenal game and we decided together the best solution was to stay home.”

Sanchez, who started the campaign off as Brighton’s No 1, still has two more years left on his current deal.

He has made 25 appearances across all competitions this season while Steele, 32, has made 17 appearances since coming into favour.

Sanchez’s last outing came in Brighton’s FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester United on April 23.

Brighton have four more games left to play in the Premier League with fixtures against Newcastle, Southampton, Manchester City and Aston Villa to come before the campaign comes to an end next Sunday.

They remain in the running to qualify for European football next season with De Zerbi’s men currently in sixth.

GO DEEPER

Sanchez has earned the right to forget his clanger against Palace

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