Florin Andone has thrown his hat into the ring for a place in Albion’s squad at Southampton on Monday evening.

The Romanian striker played the first half for the under-23s as they came from behind at the interval to beat West Ham 2-1 at the Amex last night.

Andone suffered no ill effects from the groin injury sustained with former club Deportivo La Coruna and a thigh problem which compounded his frustration since his £5.25 million move from La Liga in Spain.

He told The Argus: “I’m very happy to be back because I have been injured for about the last four months. I’m feeling good, very positive.

“My injury is in the past now. I’m fit and I’m very happy for the boys, because in the second half they won the game.

“It was the groin last season with Deportivo. I had problems when I started here and I had to stop for a month. After, when I came back, I had problems with my quad and was out for another five weeks.

“It was very hard for me. I was very excited to play and be in the squad but finally I’m ready if the manager decides on Monday I am ready to be in the squad and to help the team.

“I would like to be in the squad. I’ve worked very hard. It’s different training to playing but I trained all last week and this week with the team and now 45 minutes.

“It was important for me to see if I’m ready and I am feeling good.”

Boss Chris Hughton could be tempted to include Andone among the substitutes at St Mary’s.

Alternatively, the under-23s are in action again at the Lancing training complex against Everton on Thursday evening (7pm), followed 48 hours later by Tottenham’s Premier League visit to the Amex (5.30pm).