Mathias Normann hopes to help Norwich City against Brighton

The rather muted nature of both applause and boos for the defender perhaps reflected the fact he played for the Seagulls in a season when no fans were present.

Seeing Ashley Barnes run on as sub for Burnley, as he did on the first day of the season, has lost its novelty almost seven years since he left.

But he will receive a ripple of applause at the Amex later this season, no doubt.

And, while Tim Krul did not play a huge part for the Seagulls, those in the away section at Carrow Road will recognise their club’s former back-up keeper on Saturday.

They will recall the part he played in an FA Cup run to the quarter-finals and a snowy night at Old Trafford four seasons ago.

Mathias Normann is a different case altogether.

The former Albion midfielder could be a key player as he goes up against his former club this weekend.

His name, at least, will be familiar to those who follow the under-23s.

Normann was one of several players in Simon Rusk’s side three years ago who have gone on to good things.

But he never really got near league action for the Seagulls.

He was certainly never spoken about in such excited terms as White, Aaron Connolly or Viktor Gyokeres.

The fact his Albion stint started with a loan to Molde limited his profile here.

And he looks rather different now, due an eye-catching change of hair colour.

Normann, though, will take on the Seagulls as an established Norway international, a Prem regular and a signing about whom Norwich were pretty excited as he arrived on loan from Rostov in Russia shortly before the deadline in August.

“I’m a defensive midfielder, I like to tackle, to win the ball and to use my body,” he told the Canaries’ club website.

“I like to be on the ball and try to dictate the game.”

That apparently went down well with fans hoping to see their side show some extra backbone on their return to the top tier.

Normann caught the eye back home with an international display against Holland, when he kept Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum quiet in a 1-1 draw.

The theory is the better the opposition, the better Normann plays.

Ironically, he also made a mark against Liverpool on his debut for Albion under-23s – by picking up a red card late in what had been a promising performance.

Already on a yellow, he dived in to stop a counter attack in a 0-0 draw.

Under-23s boss Simon Rusk said after the game: “He is quite combative and I think it was the right decision (by the referee).

“I think it was two yellow cards and maybe when he is a little more match sharp, with a few more games under his belt, he might not be picking up that second yellow.”

Norway boss Stale Solbakken has a different take on Normann’s combative nature.

The former Wolves manager said: “Mathias has a habit where he likes to tackle even if he has the ball.

“In ice hockey, it was Peter Forsberg who invented it. He drove around the track and tackled people.

“I have seen Normann do the same. In Russia, he drove and invited people to tackle him, and then he crushes them.”

It is understood Norwich’s pursuit of Normann was lengthy and persistent.

They first made their interest known in April and persevered throughout the summer window.

It appears he needed some talking around.

But Daniel Farke persuaded him to make the move during a long phone call.

It was a move which went down badly among Rostov’s fans - and Albion’s supporters will be keen to see what they let go.

Connor Southwell, who covers the Canaries for the Eastern Daily Press, has been impressed by what he has seen.

He said: “The biggest compliment I can give to Mathias Normann is that he’s been the best player for Norwich in every game he has played.

“I’ve been sat in the press box at both Everton and Burnley and on both occasions local media for the opposition have praised his efforts.

“He’s added a real quality into Norwich’s midfield and has rapidly become the first name on the team sheet.

“He combines tenacity with technical quality with ease.

“So far, alongside Ozan Kabak, he looks one of the best bits of business City have done so far this summer.

“Both have raised the level of the team as a collective and hopefully that translates into a victory this weekend.”

Albion fans will not be sharing those hopes, of course.

But Norwich will be keen to build on a first point of the season, secured going into the international fortnight by drawing 0-0 at Burnley.

It appears Normann will be a part of that mission.

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Southwell added: “There was some concern over a slight abdominal injury that saw him withdraw from the Norway squad, but the indication seems to be that is minor. The club are hopeful he will be available for selection.”

It is three years now since Albion under-23s took on Benfica B in the Premier League International Cup.

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The match saw Rusk pit his wits against Bruno Lage, who went on to manage the senior Benfica side later that season and is now in charge at Wolves.

Midfielder Guga was the main man for Benfica and is now with Portuguese League over-achievers Rio Ave.

Other team members have progressed in leagues away from Portugal.

But what about the Albion side who won through first-half goals from Viktor Gyokeres (penalty) and Aaron Connolly?

Hugo Keto
The Finnish goalkeeper signed from Arsenal’s academy is now with HJK Helsinki. 
Ben White
An unusual outing at right-back for the defender during a period between his loans at Newport and Peterborough. He played the pass from which Connolly made it 2-0.
Ben Barclay
The commanding defender is now at Stockport County, managed by Rusk, having joined Accrington on his departure from the Seagulls.
Leo Ostigard
Could yet make his way at the Amex. Is back out on loan this season with Stoke City.
Bernardo
Not one of the emerging prospects, the Brazilian left-back played in this match as he came back from injury. Now at Red Bull Salzburg.
Mathias Normann
Now on loan to Norwich City from Rostov.
Max Sanders
Part of a midfield three, is now at Lincoln City, where Liam Bridcutt is a regular starter ahead of him.
Jordan Davies
Has been impressing back home at Wrexham in the National League. 

Viktor Gyokeres (pictured above scoring from the spot - Paul Hazlewood/BHAFC)
Has appeared for Sweden this week and is off to a great start after making a permanent move to Coventry City, where he had previously been on loan.
Aaron Connolly
Was at the peak of his promise as an age-group goalgetter about this time and went on to score five in three Checkatrade Trophy games away to strong EFL opposition. Is now, of course, with Albion in the Premier League.
Anders Dreyer
Played for Midtjylland at Anfield in the Champions League last season and has now moved on to Rubin Kazan, for whom he scored a hat-trick on his Russian Superleague debut. Still yet to play as a full international for Denmark but has 20 under-21 caps.
George Cox
Had to make way for Bernardo on this occasion but was the first choice under-23s left-back at the time and is now in the Eredivisie at Fortuna Sittard. Went on as sub for Dreyer down the left side in this game.
Ryan Longman
Went on as sub for Connolly in this game and is now on loan at Hull.
The bench also included Peter Gwargis, who is now with Malmo, current MK Dons defender Warren O’Hora and Billy Collings, who these days keeps goal for Haywards Heath.