Albion face a big decision over Danny Welbeck as he targets a return to Old Trafford.
The former Manchester United striker is being handled with care after a recent lower back issue.
Fabian Hurzeler said the reason for his minutes being limited are more general.
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But he accepts his Premier League top scorer is not always happy to be kept back.
Albion are planning for their FA Cup third-round tie away to United tomorrow (4.30pm).
Charalampos Kostoulas, who scored in the league game at Old Trafford, is in contention for a place up front and was shown in good form at training on the club’s social media platforms.
Welbeck has come on as a substitute for the closing stages of recent matches but has a good record back at his old home ground.
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Hurzeler said: “We have to restrict him and I think that’s the only reason at at the moment.
“We have to manage him because he’s not capable of starting two games in a row in a quite short period of time.
“Therefore, we are always in exchange with the medical department.
“I have conversations with him about that.
“Of course, he’s not always happy but, in the end, we need to manage him because we want to have him on the pitch for the second part of the season, and therefore we have to make decisions to protect his health.”
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Hurzeler said the restricted playing time was not because of Welbeck’s back issue.
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He added: “It’s just a general thing. We managed him, I think, quite well through the last 18 months, because regarding the statistics, he played the most minutes ever, so therefore I’m very pleased how my medical department takes care of him and how he takes care of himself.”
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Welbeck’s free-kick earlier this season was his fifth goal against United at Old Trafford, including three for the Seagulls.
Pascal Gross will look to add to his seven goals against United, of which four were at Old Trafford.
He scored both in Albion’s first-ever win at the venue on the first weekend of the 2022-23 campajgn and was also on target in a 3-1 success under Roberto De Zerbi.
