Ghana right-back Tariq Lamptey made an injury return to feature in Brighton and Hove Albion comfortable win over Newcastle United in the English Premier League on Sunday evening.
Lamptey spent five months in the treatment following a knee injury he picked up in the 2023/24 Premier League game against West Ham United.
The 22-year-old recovered from the injury layoff to be part of Brighton pre-season and eventually made his season's appearance for the American Express Community Stadium outfit in a 3-1 victory against Newcastle United.
He was introduced into the game by Roberto De Zerbi on the 77th minyte as replacement for Joao Pedro.
Despite the injury return, Lamptey was left out by Ghana coach Chris Hughton in his 25-man squad list for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Central African Republic on September 7.
Teenager Evan Ferguson scored a hat-trick to demonstrate his remarkable potential and help Brighton lay down a marker for another special Premier League season as they outgunned Newcastle.
Both sides discovered their European groups this week after overachieving last term - and Albion look far better placed than the Magpies to challenge near the top this time round.
Republic of Ireland striker Ferguson pounced from close range after goalkeeper Nick Pope had spilled Billy Gilmour's long-range effort.
The 18-year-old curled home a beauty from 25 yards to make it 2-0 - and then hit another, via a huge Fabian Schar deflection, for his 10th Premier League goal and his first hat-trick.
He becomes only the fourth player to score a Premier League hat-trick before their 19th birthday after Chris Bart-Williams, Robbie Fowler and Michael Owen (four times).
Newcastle's first shot on target did not come until the 87th minute and they scored with their second, as Callum Wilson chased down a long ball to fire home in injury time. However, it was far too late to threaten any comeback
