Hughton relishing Crofts return

The 31-year-old midfielder, who played under Houghton at Norwich, is back fit after a serious knee injury which saw him miss the majority of the 2014-15 campaign.

He is part of the Seagulls squad that is travelling to France for a pre-season training camp and Hughton is enjoying having the Welshman back, along with fellow injury victims Solly March and Sam Baldock.

Hughton said: "Solly March and Sam Baldock played a fair part of last season, but with Andrew Crofts, it's like having a new signing.

"He's back in training, but because of the period of time he's been out, we've just got to make sure that everything is right with him.

"We will do in that pre-season period, but he was a player we missed for almost all of last season. It's really good to have him back."