ALBION boss Chris Hughton is relieved that he could finally have Florin Andone as an extra attacking option.

The Romanian striker returns from injury in the under-23s against West Ham at the Amex tonight (7pm).

It will be Andone’s first home outing since signing from Deportivo La Coruna in the summer.

Groin trouble has restricted the frontman pursued by the Seagulls through the last three transfer windows to only 45 minutes behind closed doors in a pre-season friendly in Nice.

Hughton has been depending in Andone’s absence on in-form Glenn Murray and Jurgen Locadia.

Hughton said: “Firstly he’ll give us that level of competition, exactly the same as Glenn and Locadia, whether they are starting or coming off the bench.

“What we have is probably three different type players. He has a physicality about him but he is also somebody used to running in behind.

“So he will be able to stretch teams and give us that outlet, whether it is starting or on the bench, and give us different options for different games.”

The first sighting of Andone should boost the attendance for the first game at headquarters for the under-23s, who are unbeaten after thrashing Manchester City and drawing against Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool.

Hughton said: “When ever you bring in a player that supporters haven’t seen it’s a bit like (Yves) Bissouma, who the supporters were looking forward to seeing, and when they first saw him he didn’t disappoint.

“Andone would be the same, but more importantly we have at the moment Glenn who is playing well and is fit, Locadia is fit, but we know that changes.

“In effect we have three number nines. Other Premier League clubs will have more than that. At the moment it’s about having those different options.”

Albion have also been boosted by the return to training during the international break of Jose Izquierdo, sidelined by a knee problem since the World Cup with Colombia, although he will have his work cut out to dislodge Solly March on the left-wing.

Hughton said: “We just want as strong a squad as possible, but in the period of time he (Izquierdo) has been out Solly March has done really well and has got stronger as the games have gone on.

“It’s great to have that level of competition.”

Albion have no fresh injury problems among the players reporting back from international duty ahead of Monday’s trip to Southampton (8pm).