ALBION boss Chris Hughton has played down an injury to Glenn Murray in the opening pre-season friendly.

The striker went off with an ankle problem in the first half of the 1-1 draw against St Gallen in Switzerland.

Murray was hampered by ankle trouble in the early stages of last season, which he finished as top scorer.

Hughton is hopeful history has not repeated itself after losing Anthony Knockaert for several weeks to an ankle injury in the first friendly a year ago.

Hughton told The Argus: "We'll see. I think he's just jarred his ankle.

"Last season he had a few little problems with it and generally he was fine, came through, didn't miss many games.

"I anticipate it will be the same. Sometimes if it's different then your are a little bit more concerned, but he has managed to cope with it."

Striker signing Florin Andone (groin) missed the St Gallen workout together with new goalkeeper Jason Steele (thigh).

Both concentrated on conditioning work during last week's training camp in Schruns, Austria.

They will be monitored before a decision is taken whether to involve them in the next friendlies, against Crawley behind-closed-doors at the Lancing training complex on Friday (11am) and at AFC Wimbledon on Saturday (3pm).

Shane Duffy is likely to make his comeback from summer groin injury in the Crawley game.