Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is not in the squad for the game against Newcastle

Sanchez was surprisingly absent from Albion’s matchday squad in Sunday’s 3-0 Premier League win at Arsenal and will miss tomorrow’s game in Newcastle.

The 25-year-old Spain international lost his starting role to former Middlesbrough and Sunderland goalkeeper Jason Steele in early March and his future at the Amex Stadium is now shrouded in uncertainty.

“We spoke to Robert before the Arsenal game and together we decided that the best solution was to stay at home,” said Seagulls head coach De Zerbi.

“He decides everything. Robert decides and that’s the way it is at the moment. He wanted it that way, not me, not the club.”

Sanchez has been limited to FA Cup appearances for the past three months, apart from playing in the 2-1 win over Chelsea on April 15 when Steele was injured.

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Meanwhile, De Zerbi confirmed that Brighton are close to agreeing a free transfer deal for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mahmoud Dahoud, 27, whose contract expires in the summer.

“I know Dahoud very well, but he’s not official at the moment,” said the Italian. “He’s not official yet and we’ll talk about him later in the next press conference.”

After a reporter said, “It sounds like he’s coming,” De Zerbi replied, “Yeah, because we don’t have a secret and I like him and would love to work with him.”

De Zerbi is keen to strengthen his squad as he prepares for the departure of some big-name players.

Still, he’s not entirely resigned to losing the likes of Moises Caicedo and Alexis Mac Allister, contrary to reports following the weekend’s win at the Emirates Stadium.

“I didn’t say it like that,” he said. “I said there’s a chance of losing some big players like maybe Caicedo, Mac Allister, (Kaoru) Mitoma, I don’t know.

“But we’re Brighton and I know my club’s politics and we have to be ready to sign other good players with the right qualities.”

Sixth-placed Albion are just two wins from four games remaining to secure Europa League qualification after overwhelmingly defeating Mikel Arteta’s Gunners.

However, Joel Veltman, Adam Webster, Solly March, Tariq Lamptey, Adam Lallana, Jakub Moder and Jeremy Sarmiento remain on the long injury list.