ALBION boss Chris Hughton believes the end of Pascal Gross's goal drought will do him "the world of good".

The German returned to the scoresheet in the 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Gross's accomplished finish from Davy Propper's cross was his first goal since converting a penalty against United at the Amex in August.

And his first in open play since his winner at home to United at the end of last season.

Ankle trouble, which ruled him out for almost three months, and a change from the No.10 role to part of a three-man midfield have impacted on Gross's influence compared to last season, when he contributed seven goals and eight assists.

Hughton told The Argus: "I'm pleased for Pascal. He is playing in a little bit of a different position than he did last year, because of the way that we are playing.

"Probably that doesn't give him the opportunities of getting in those areas, but he did exactly what we want him to do, which is to make runs from perhaps that little bit deeper, good timing at the edge of the box. I think that will do him the world of good."

Meanwhile, Hughton is not convinced leading marksman Glenn Murray's lean spell is due to any loss of confidence.

Murray missed a first-half chance at Old Trafford to add to his eight-goal tally and has now gone eight games without scoring.

Hughton said: "The answer to that one is I don't know. Glenn's an experienced player and he would have had lots of periods in his career when he is playing regularly, not playing so regularly, scoring goals and not scoring goals.

"It's impossible to tell. He is always a player that will put himself up and put himself in those positions to try to get the end product that he wants."

Gross and Murray are among the players likely to be rested against West Brom in the FA Cup at the Amex on Saturday, 72 hours before the Premier League visit to relegation-haunted Fulham.