Solly March is set to give Albion’s squad a boost by returning to first team contention next month.

The versatile former England under-21 international made a second comeback from injury in the under-23s against Blackburn at Crawley last night.

March has been sidelined from first team action since last December, when he suffered serious knee damage. His return in the under-23s in August was halted by a shin problem.

March got through 61 minutes in a goalless stalemate against Blackburn which featured few chances for either side. He is expected to have another outing in the under-23s at Stoke on Saturday (2pm).

Boss Chris Hughton said: “It’s not as if we are starting again with him. I’m hoping that after these two games and maybe another one that we are able to fast-track him in and he’ll be available as soon as possible.”

Hughton believes having March and fellow knee victim Kazenga LuaLua available again will be a tonic akin to the captures of Anthony Knockaert and Jiri Skalak in January.

He said: “We had it last season in January when we brought a couple of players in that really lifted the squad.

“If I look at those out injured at the moment, particularly Solly and Kazenga who are reasonably close, it adds to the team. Apart from giving us other options and different types of options it gives that little bit of a boost to the squad.”

Midfielder Richie Towell trained with the first team yesterday for the first time since sustaining a knee injury which has sidelined him so far this season.

Albion U23: Sanchez; Collar, White, Hall, Cox; Ward, Hutchinson, Molumby, March (Tilley, 61); Starkey (Hornby-Forbes, 76); Ayunga (Bjordal, 61). Subs not used: McGill, Harper.