Brighton boss Chris Hughton is looking forward to having winger Jose Izquierdo back in the fold, with the Colombia international having recovered from a knee injury.
The 26-year-old has only made one appearance for the Seagulls so far this season, that coming as a late substitute in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City last weekend.
Chris Hughton
However, Izquierdo could be handed a starting role against a resurgent Hammers side at the Amex Stadium on Friday evening, with the former Club Brugge man having scored in both meetings of the two teams last season.
Hughton told reporters: "It's good to have him back, he's missed all of pre-season but played 45 minutes of an under-23 game last week.
"He's a player that's given us goals last season and it's very, very welcome to have him back.
"You can't expect or think as though you'll have any repeat of what happened last year, but of course we want to win and will chase that, especially in our home games.
"Jose certainly did well in those matches last year and it's great to have him back. But, again, these are different circumstances."
Meanwhile, Hughton is waiting to see whether Dale Stephens has recovered sufficiently from a hamstring problem to take his place in the Albion squad, while also confirming that an ankle injury means Pascal Gross misses out.
Albion won this fixture 3-1 last season, with Glenn Murray, Izquierdo and Gross their goalscorers and they are 7/4 to secure another victory on Friday evening.
The Seagulls are 8/1 to edge a 1-0 success, with both teams to score priced at 4/5.
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Brighton boss Chris Hughton is looking forward to having winger Jose Izquierdo back in the fold, with the Colombia international having recovered from a knee injury.
The 26-year-old has only made one appearance for the Seagulls so far this season, that coming as a late substitute in the 2-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester City last weekend.
Chris Hughton
However, Izquierdo could be handed a starting role against a resurgent Hammers side at the Amex Stadium on Friday evening, with the former Club Brugge man having scored in both meetings of the two teams last season.
Hughton told reporters: "It's good to have him back, he's missed all of pre-season but played 45 minutes of an under-23 game last week.
"He's a player that's given us goals last season and it's very, very welcome to have him back.
"You can't expect or think as though you'll have any repeat of what happened last year, but of course we want to win and will chase that, especially in our home games.
"Jose certainly did well in those matches last year and it's great to have him back. But, again, these are different circumstances."
Meanwhile, Hughton is waiting to see whether Dale Stephens has recovered sufficiently from a hamstring problem to take his place in the Albion squad, while also confirming that an ankle injury means Pascal Gross misses out.
Albion won this fixture 3-1 last season, with Glenn Murray, Izquierdo and Gross their goalscorers and they are 7/4 to secure another victory on Friday evening.
The Seagulls are 8/1 to edge a 1-0 success, with both teams to score priced at 4/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com