Taking Grimsby lightly would be ‘mistake’, says De Zerbi

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi says it would be a “big mistake” to underestimate League Two Grimsby in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final.

Town have beaten five clubs above them in the pyramid – Plymouth, Cambridge, Burton, Luton and Southampton – to land a plum tie with the high-flying Seagulls.

Nevertheless, De Zerbi admits that on paper his side have a huge opportunity to reach a Wembley semi-final.

“It will be a difficult game,” the Italian said at his pre-match press conference.

“But I want (the) players to give 100 per cent of possibilities.

“I want our fans to support our players because Sunday is a difficult game. We have to not think, ‘We are Brighton from the Premier League and Grimsby are in the fourth division’, because we would make a big mistake.

“We have to play seriously, because for us it is a big opportunity to go to Wembley.”

Brighton will be without right-back Tariq Lamptey, who suffered a knee injury against West Ham a fortnight ago.

“Tariq isn’t available, but the other players are good,” added De Zerbi. “I want to wait until tomorrow morning to decide the first XI. I want to pick the best team.”

Adam Lallana and Jakub Moder remain on the sidelines.