Brighton and Hove Albion manager Fabian Hurzeler has said that Evan Ferguson remains an option for the Seagulls as speculation about the striker's future continues to grow.
The Republic of Ireland international is on loan with Serie A side Roma for the season, but has struggled for fitness and form in Italy until recently.
Ferguson reminded everyone just what he can do as he score twice in Roma's Europa League clash with Celtic on Thursday.
Roma ran out 3-0 winners with Ferguson turning in perhaps his best performance for the Giallorossi since joining them.
However, rumours have swirled that Roma could be prepared to cut his loan spell short in January, and now Brighton have an incentive to recall him after it was confirmed that striker Stefanos Tzimas is out for the season with an ACL injury.
Hurzeler confirmed the extent of the injury and said: "Stefanos Tzimas will miss the whole of the season. I hope he will be back in pre-season.
"He has already started his rehab. He will have surgery soon. We have big trust in the doctors and in our medical department. We are quite convinced that he will be back as quickly as possible and in even better shape."
When asked about the possibility of a recall for Ferguson, the Brighton boss did not rule it out and said that the Seagulls have been monitoring his progress in Rome.
"Evan is a player for us, that is why he will always be an option," he said. "At the moment he is on loan but we follow it, we are pleased how he performed yesterday. Of course we all follow it, so definitely he might be an option."
Ferguson, meanwhile, was upbeat following his brace against Celtic on Thursday.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia after the match he gave away little on his future, but said: "I've always trained, I've worked hard, I've always tried to give my best, and tonight went well.
"It didn't go so well at first, it's the beginning of a new era. It's part of football, and I'm very happy with this evening."
