Albion want Jesse Lingard back from Manchester United.

And their hopes of re-signing the England under-21 international have been strengthened by Lingard’s apparent absence from United’s forthcoming trip to the United States.

Lingard scored four goals in 17 games on loan to Albion last season, including one at the Amex in the play-offs against Derby County, after signing at the end of February.

The Seagulls want the versatile striker back from Old Trafford, on a season-long loan this time, to boost their firepower and wide options.

Lingard starred on United’s pre-season tour to Asia and Australia last season under David Moyes before he was loaned out to Birmingham.

New manager Louis van Gaal’s squad for the visit to the States to compete in the International Champions Cup will not be officially confirmed until Friday.

But Lingard’s name did not appear on a provisional squad list released by the tournament’s organisers.

Paul Scholes and Gareth Southgate are big admirers of Lingard.

United legend Scholes believes he should have been chosen by Moyes ahead of Adnan Januzaj, while England under-21 boss Southgate has predicted a first team future at Old Trafford for Lingard.

Albion’s development team had the better chances but had to settle for a goalless draw against Cartagena at La Manga last night.

Trialists Danny Pappoe, George Cole and Ibou Touray all started again for the young Seagulls.

Centre-back Pappoe and midfielder Cole are both from Chelsea and left-back Touray from Everton.