Chris Hughton has described Andrew Crofts as "like a new signing" after he returned to training following time out with a knee injury.
The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder missed most of the 2014-15 season after tearing his ACL prior to Hughton's arrival at the club.
The manager told the club's website: "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."
Crofts previously played under Hughton while both were at Norwich City.
