Brighton and Hove Albion boss Fabian Hürzeler said that Joao Pedro and Georginio Rutter would not be in the match-day squad for the visit to Tottenham Hotspur.
Rutter has been sidelined with an ankle injury and Hürzeler said that the game on Sunday would come too soon.
Pedro has scored 10 Premier League goals for the Seagulls this season but has missed their past four matches after being sent off in the 4-2 defeat to Brentford on Saturday 19 April.
After serving a three-match ban, Pedro was not included in the squad for the 3-2 victory over champions Liverpool at the Amex on Monday (19 May).
And he will once again be absent from the squad for the final match of the season at Spurs, with Hürzeler adding that a “small issue” concerning the forward in training was closed.
Hürzeler told a press conference: “It will be the same squad we had (against Liverpool) so positive things. Georginio is not available. Unfortunately, he didn’t make it and we won’t risk anything. He will be back in pre-season.
“With Joao, we had a small issue in training, the type which isn’t uncommon from time to time in all football clubs. We dealt with it internally and the matter is closed.
“Joao is an incredible football player. He’s a match-winner for us. He’s a great player and that’s why we invested in him. But there are principles that are non-negotiable and count for everyone – everyone has to stick – where we don’t make any compromises.
“Joao is still a young player. He will grow and I’m sure that he will learn from this and come back stronger next season. I’m really looking forward to seeing him renewed and reinvigorated at his highest peak into our team.
“Joao won’t be in the squad and the rest (of the team news) … I think I said everything.”
Brighton are eighth in the Premier League and still have plenty to play for in their final game, with a spot in Europe at stake.
A complex set of scenarios emerged after arch-rivals Crystal Palace snatched a Europa League place with their FA Cup final win over Manchester City.
For Brighton, an eighth-place finish could mean that the club qualifies for European football should either Chelsea finish seventh and beat Real Betis in the Conference League final or if Carabao Cup winners Newcastle drop out of the top six.
Hürzeler was asked about the permutations going into the final day. He said: “The only things we can focus on is our result, our preparation for the game and that’s what we’re trying to do. The other results we can’t influence.”
