Brighton transfer chief addresses Florin Andone future and sends bold January window message

Andone, 28, suffered knee ligament damage when he collided with Rizespor goalkeeper Tarik Cetin last June, while playing on loan at Galatasaray.

The Romanian striker, who is under contract with the Seagulls until 2023, has been working his way back to full fitness and could be available for selection once again in the new year.

Andone last featured for Brighton in August 2019 during the 2-0 home loss to Southampton, where he was sent-off for a nasty challenge on Saints defender Yan Valery.

He was promptly sent out on loan to Galatasaray where he struggled to make an impact due to injuries.

During his time in Turkey, Andone appeared to close the door on Albion when he stated in an interview that he didn't want to return to Brighton and claimed he was never given a fair chance to prove himself in the Premier League.

The fact remains however that Andone is still contracted to the club and Brighton are short of an experienced front runner following the departure of Glenn Murray to Watford.

Ashworth feels he could still play a key role for Graham Potter's team, if he returns to full fitness.

"Florin suffered a nasty injury while on loan at Galatasaray and these injuries are normally six plus months," said Albion's technical director.

"We are probably looking second half of the season between January and February time before Florin will be able to compete.

"He will still be out for a number of weeks."

Asked if Andone could play a part in the second half the season, "Yes absolutely," Ashworth said.

"He is a good, experienced centre forward. Touch wood his recovery continues. He could be ready to contribute in the second half of the season.

"I have not got an exact date for his return but second half of the season, we would hope he can contribute."

The summer international transfer window was a busy one for Albion for both arrivals and departures.

The Seagulls spent around £16m as they brought in young Polish duo Michal Karbownik and Jakub Moder, who signed on deadline day for a combined £10m but will be loaned back to Legia Warsaw and Pozan respectively.

Adam Lallana arrived on a free transfer from Liverpool and Dutch international Joel Veltman joined for just under £1m at the start of the window.

Andi Zeqiri, a talented but inexperienced striker, came in from Swiss club Lausanne-Sport for a reported £3.5m.

It also saw the loan departure of established Albion duo Shane Duffy and Glen Murray, while Dale Stephens made a permanent switch to Burnley.

Ashworth was pleased with the business cthey conducted but insists they are already planning ahead for January.

"We are actually only 12 games away from the January window opening up again," he said.

"We are always looking to improve and Tony (Bloom, chairman) has invested a huge amount of money and the club is only where it is at the moment because of him.

"Tony will always support us in doing the right player but it has to be the right player. The right age, the right level, the right cost, the right salary and got to improve Graham's team.

"It's more important that you don't sign the wrong player.

"The international window closed, the domestic we still have a little more time and a couple of foreign windows where we might loan a player.

"But as soon as the window closes, we are looking again to make sure that if the right opportunities come up in January then we are happy to do them."