JOSE IZQUIERDO will not be rushed back by Albion to haunt West Ham again.

Boss Chris Hughton says the Colombian left-winger’s starring role in both victories over the Hammers last season will not be a factor in whether he faces them tonight.

Izquierdo struck in spectacular fashion from outside the box in the Seagulls’ 3-0 win at the London Stadium and their 3-1 victory in the return clash at the Amex.

He played 45 minutes in the under-23s and made his first appearance of the season as a late substitute at Manchester City last Saturday after returning from the World Cup with a knee injury.

Hughton said: “Anybody who plays in any game is generally because I think it’s right and they are at the level. And anything with Jose on Friday will be the same.

“What we want him to do is obviously to get back to the form he had last season and give us the addition of the goals that he can.

“But his pre-season has been different. He has started later than everybody else and it’s been a case of him getting up to speed.

“So they will be the decisions about whether he starts or not and what he did against West Ham last season won’t have any effect.”

Albion hope to have Pascal Gross back for their next away game at Newcastle later this month.

The German No.10 misses out for the fourth Premier League match running tonight with an ankle injury which has taken longer than expected to heal.

Hughton said: “Yes it has but it’s been dealt with the right way. What you want is somebody who is coming back fully fit with no prospect of them breaking down again.

“What we have after Friday is this international break. And our hopes are that he will be available for Newcastle.

“The medical department have done everything right. You can rush somebody back and it ends up taking that bit longer, so no setback, it’s just taken longer than we initially thought.”