Brighton explain meticulous plan for Jose Izquirdeo after scoring return at West Ham

Izquirdeo, 28, has not featured for almost 18 months but made an impressive return to action for the under-23s last Saturday during their 3-2 win against West Ham's youngsters.

The Colombian was introduced on 60 minutes and scored a very nicely-taken winner when he latched on to a long ball and skilfully lobbed the advancing keeper.

Izquirdeo has been back training with Graham Potter first-team squad having previously be granted an extended spell at home in Colombia after his knee surgery, which was followed by the coronavirus outbreak.

His style of play could well offer the head coach a different attacking option in the Premier League but they are not willing to rush Izquirdeo after so long away from the game.

"Jose has had a tough time," said Ashworth. "I think it's 14 or 15 months that he hasn't played and that is also tough mentally.

"His job is to play football and he has not been able to do that. He has been brilliant. He has come through a really tough time.

"He played 30 minutes for our under-23s at West Ham and got the winner. It is slowly, slowly for him. he has been training for number of weeks with Graham (Potter) and the first team and that was his first match minutes.

"So we will go slowly, hope to build that up and hopefully there is no reaction from Jose and anything physically.

"I have not got a date I could give you as to when he could be ready for first team selection. But he is making the right progress and we are optimistic he will be able to play a part between now and January."

Izquierdo joined Albion for £13.5m in 2017 and last appeared for the Seagulls under Chris Hughton in the 1-1 Premier League draw against Newcastle United in April 2019.

“It’s great to be back," he said after his goal for the under-23s. “It’s been hard for me, being out of action for so long, so to be playing again, for 30 minutes and scoring a goal, is really good.

“The most important thing for me was to be back playing again. I now need to keep going and hopefully my body and my knee will respond well to this game. I feel good though, and that’s really positive."

Much has changed since Izquierdo last pulled on an Albion shirt. Potter has replaced Hughton in the dugout and new coaches and players have arrived.

“It’s been weird coming back to training with the boys, having been away for so long, but it’s been really enjoyable.

"It’s like a new start with the return from injury and the new coach, and I’m looking forward to playing for him.

"The sessions have been really good but, like I said, it’s a case of taking it step by step.”