Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface marked his return to action with a goal as the reigning Bundesliga champions beat Hoffenheim 3-1.

The 24-year-old was surprisingly named in the starting lineup in what was his first major action since recovering from the injury he sustained while on international duty with the national team back in November.

Boniface seized the opportunity with aplomb by giving Leverkusen the lead in the 15th minute before Jeremie Frimpong doubled their lead four minutes later.

Patrik Schick made it 3-0 in the 51st minute before Gift Orban pulled a goal back in the 62nd minute.

In a post-match reaction, Boniface expressed his delight to return to the pitch again and to mark his return with a goal.

“I feel happy, I feel great. It has been a long time since I’ve been out, I think almost two months, so to be back and playing games is really good for me,” he told the club’s official website.

“It feels good to score, not just being a striker but in general as a team to score an early goal against a top team like this, it really helps build confidence and you can see that after the goal, the team gained more confidence to score more.”

Boniface has now managed nine goals in 16 appearances across all competitions for Xabi Alonso's side.