GLENN Murray admits he has missed Albion's Wembley absentee Pascal Gross.

Gross has been ruled out of tomorrow night's trip to Chelsea and Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City by a hamstring injury which has sidelined him since the defeat at Leicester at the end of February.

Murray scored 12 goals in the Premier League last season and Gross seven, with eight assists playing as a number ten.

Murray has 11 league goals this season, Gross two following two long injury lay-offs for the German and a change to a more orthodox midfield role when manager Chris Hughton switched to a 4-3-3 system in December.

Murray told The Argus: "Obviously me and Pascal had a really good relationship last year.

"Unfortunately it hasn't flourished as much this year.

"To be brutally honest, yes, I think I have missed him.

"He creates a lot of opportunities when he plays. That's what he does, that's what he is good at.

"He's got that knack and I think this year I have missed him playing close to me a little bit."

Hughton said of Gross: "He is outside doing some good running at the moment. I think realistically we would be hopeful that he will train with the team probably towards the end of next week and that might make him available for the Bournemouth game (April 13)."

Florin Andone could increase Hughton's striker options at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night.

The Romanian has been missing since pulling out in the warm-up at Crystal Palace last month with a recurrence of thigh trouble.

He trained again yesterday and Hughton is "hopeful" he will be in the squad.