#PLStories- #GrahamPotter says Brighton happy to take on Getafe at Amex #BHAFC

The perils of arranging international friendly action in current circumstances was underlined yesterday. That was when Aston Villa had to cancel their fixture at home to Sevilla. The LaLiga Santander side pulled out due to Covid concerns, denying Villa income plus a key date in their build-up to the Premier League season. Albion begin their second decade at the Amex with a visit from a Getafe side coached by Michel, a stylish provider of tempting crosses from the right during his distinguished playing days with Real Madrid and Spain. Albion boss Graham Potter is in no doubt as to value of this evening’s fixture. He said: “It’s an important game for us as it’s our last friendly before the new season. “We want to try and improve on the Luton performance and the more minutes we can get into the players before Burnley the better, that’s why it’s a game we are looking forward to. “Adam Webster, Lewis Dunk and Leandro Trossard are all available having been unavailable for the last two games. “They have done a lot of work behind closed doors and in training and we will use Saturday to build things up.” Clearly Getafe were not the List A choice Albion had in mind as they planned a special event to mark ten years at their stadium. Months of discussions had taken place with their intended guests and contracts were ready. But the club concerned were not prepared to travel to the United Kingdom at this time. Albion are very pleased to have secured Getafe quite late in the day. Added intrigue is added by the fact the Seagulls are currently trying to sign their opponents’ prize asset Marc Cucurella. SKY SPORTS EYE BEN WHITE'S RETURN TO THE AMEX Juancar Navacerrada, who covers Getafe for Marca, says it is an important fixture for the visitors. He told The Argus: “It’s the last match of pre-season and Getafe will try to play an XI similar to that which plays against Valencia next Friday. “But it is also a match in which they will take care of playing time with the start of the league so close.” Getafe were not far above the drop zone last season. But Navacerrada believes they will offer a tougher test that some Albion fans might expect thanks to Michel’s arrival in charge. He said: “It will be a completely different Getafe to that of the last five years. “They will give more importance to possession of the ball, although they will maintain the intensity they had under former boss Jose Bordalas. “There is no doubt Getafe are building a good side.” One of the men to watch is no stranger to the Amex. Wideman Vitolo, who is on loan from Atletico Madrid, played for Sevilla at the Amex six years ago. But one familiar figure to some at Albion will not be present. Former Albion under-23s prospect Jack Harper is a Getafe player but little has been seen of him. He was a rising star when he arrived at the Seagulls in 2015. He has been loaned out to Racing Santander for the coming season, Navacerrada said: “Harper is an operation I don’t understand, personally. “He has been at Getafe for three years without playing a single minute. GRAHAM POTTER GLAD TO SEE BRIGHTON FANS RETURN “He arrived and has always been out on loan. “To be honest, I don’t think he will ever play for Getafe.” Serbian international centre-back Stefan Mitrovic is being tipped as one of the potential surprises of the league this season. Central midfielder Carlos Alena is another who might take the eye at the Amex. He has just signed a five-year deal after coming through the ranks at Barcelona.